TOWN & COUNTRY CHRISTMAS LIGHTING CONTEST
WCEC hosts the Town & Country Christmas Lighting Contest each year. The contest is open to anyone within the boundaries of the co-op's service territory. Entries are placed into two categories:
Country - Entries that are powered by WCEC
Town - Entries that are powered by any other utility
The rules are simple—there are no special themes, and it doesn’t matter how many lights you use. The judges observe the overall design and appeal of your total Christmas lighting display.
WCEC directors judge all entries in early December. In the Country category, two semi-finalists are chosen from each of the nine co-op districts. They receive a cash prize of $50. Then, the judges choose first-, second-, and third-place winners from among those 18 semi-finalists. These winners receive an additional cash prize of $150, $100, and $50, respectively.
In the Town category, there are three winners who receive cash prizes of $100 for third place, $150 for second place, and $200 for first place.
A Best of Show for the overall best decorations is chosen from the two first-place winners in each category. Best of Show receives an additional $200.
Contest registration is free and is open throughout November.
2025 WINNERS
BEST OF SHOW: Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield (3181 CR 405, El Campo)
Country Category
1st – Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield (3181 CR 405, El Campo)
2nd – Chad Bacak (655 Charlene, El Campo)
3rd – V.W. Tompkins (842 CR 459, El Campo)
Town Category
1st – Ruben Sabrsula (1005 Empire, El Campo)
2nd – Jonathan & Kimmie Eide (1115 Meadow Creek Dr., El Campo)
3rd – David Sabrsula (916 Empire, El Campo)
District Semifinalists
District 1: Chris & Sandy Wishert (1197 Old Nada Road, Nada); Vicki Polak (1581 CR 169, Garwood)
District 2: Scott & Amanda Honea (109 CR 372, Taiton)
District 3: Tim Merta (2132 CR 385, El Campo); Taylor & Audrey Graham (1728 CR 362, El Campo)
District 4: Les & Tina Graham (579 CR 362, El Campo)
District 5: V.W. Tompkins (842 CR 459, El Campo); Mary Jane Balcar (6211 FM 2765, El Campo)
District 6: Chad & Chantell Bacak (655 Charlene, El Campo); Kenneth Socha (671 CR 306, El Campo)
District 7: Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield (3181 CR 405, El Campo); Robert & Elaine Reck (545 CR 404, El Campo)
District 8: No Entries
District 9: Tom & Pam Hunt (2305 Hutchins Lane, El Campo)
2024 WINNERS
BEST OF SHOW: Brian & Lauren Moreno (1207 Judy Street, El Campo)
Country Category
1st – Chris & Sandy Wishert (1197 Old Nada Road, Nada)
2nd – Jeanette Schoenfield (3181 CR 405, El Campo)
3rd – V.W. Tompkins (842 CR 459, El Campo)
1st – Brian & Lauren Moreno (1207 Judy Street, El Campo)
2nd – Ruben Sabrsula (1005 Empire, El Campo)
3rd – Jonathan & Kimmie Eide (1115 Meadow Creek Dr., El Campo)
District Semifinalists
District 1: Chris & Sandy Wishert; Vicki Polak
District 2: Scott & Amanda Honea
District 3: Taylor & Audrey Graham
District 4: Brian & Gretchen Seymore; Jorge Franco
District 5: V.W. Tompkins; Mary Jane Balcar
District 6: No Entries
District 7: Jeanette Schoenfield; Robert & Elaine Reck
District 8: No Entries
District 9: Luke Netardus
2023 WINNERS
BEST OF SHOW: Joseph & Melissa Juarez (807 Avenue I, El Campo)
Country Category
1st – Chad Bacak (655 Charlene, El Campo)
2nd – Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield (3181 CR 405, El Campo)
3rd – V.W. Tompkins (842 CR 459, El Campo)
Town Category
1st – Joseph & Melissa Juarez (807 Avenue I, El Campo)
2nd – JoAnn Shimek (1110 Meadow Creek Dr., El Campo)
3rd – Ruben Sabrsula (1005 Empire, El Campo)
District Semifinalists
District 1: Chris & Sandy Wishert (1197 Old Nada Road, Nada); Vicki Polak (1581 CR 169, Garwood)
District 2: Scott & Amanda Honea (109 CR 372, Taiton)
District 3: Taylor & Audrey Graham (1728 CR 362, El Campo)
District 4: Theresa Saucedo (875 Meadowbrook Dr., El Campo)
District 5: V.W. Tompkins; Douglas & Becky Koudela (6129 FM 2765, El Campo)
District 6: Chad Bacak; Alphonse Janda (600 Charlene, El Campo)
District 7: Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield; Donna Hacker (2693 CR 406, El Campo)
District 8: No Entries
District 9: Tom & Pam Hunt (2305 Hutchins Lane, El Campo); Jimmy & Laurie Martin (302 Champions Court, El Campo)