In Arab, city work crews begin unloading the Christmas lights and placing them up on the trees throughout the city park way back in August.
In Fort Payne and Carrollton, the work crews made sure buildings in their respective downtown areas are covered with lights. Opelika unveiled a massive, 72-inch tree last week that city officials consider the "largest" in Alabama (and you can view it live on the city's webcam). Fayette touts two Christmas-themed displays - one through Guthrie Smith Park and another throughout its downtown area. In Jasper, approximately 50 Christmas trees are decorated and displayed in front of the Walker County Courthouse.
Huntsville, with a population nearing 230,000 people, has Christmas displays in parks, the botanical garden and along the Tennessee River. On the other side of the population size is the tiny town of Millry in South Alabama, with a mere 700 people, but who are also drawing crowds to view decorations and events at the town park.
AL.com is hosting an unscientific poll online to determine which Alabama city has the best community decoration display. To the winner is the prized recognition as Alabama's Christmas City for 2024.
The 12 cities listed in three regions -- North, Central and South -- were among those mentioned the most by social media users in a Dec. 4, Facebook callout. We asked, "What Alabama city has the best Christmas decorations," and the responses poured in.
Some of the examples:
"Fort Payne. But now I want to go on road trip to see all these places."
"Carrollton is like a sweet little Hallmark movie town!"
"You would be hard pressed to find anything nicer than Jasper!"
Indeed, the judging continues, even after more than 750 responses came back from that initial callout. Every city listed among the final 12 was mentioned in the comments, and some more than most -- here's looking at you, Carrollton.
One common theme arose from the 12 cities that are listed within the three regions: Christmas provides an economic and tourism opportunity for them, largely due to their elaborate and creative decorations and events.
"There is no question that there is a tourism impact," said Fayette Mayor Rod Northam, whose attraction through Guthrie Smith Park averages 177 cars per night. "Most folks grab a bite to eat, get gas and shop while they are here. And almost every state in the United States has come through here, though it's primarily the folks in a five-county area around use and also from Mississippi."
To be declared the statewide winner, online users will have to vote below. Voting begins Thursday in each of the three regions and will last until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16. The winners of the three regions will then compete in a winner-takes-all poll to determine this year's merriest Alabama city of all.
So sit back, slurp an eggnog and vote away. But also please remember, it's Christmas. So be kind to your competition.