Four local businesses will share in $8000 in cash prizes as part of a new Council initiative to create a festive atmosphere in stores and encourage people to shop locally.

Wagga Mayor Greg Conkey, local businesswoman Caroline Candusso and Miss Wagga Stina Constantine judged the entries on Wednesday afternoon. 

Lilly of the Valley took out the awards for best store and window display, winning $3000. My Shed was awarded the $2500 prize for festive experience. 

Loot Country Wares was the people’s choice, taking home a prize of $​1500. Wagga Restoration Centre won $1000 for the local-themed category. 

“Congratulations to the winning businesses, who have brought the joy and excitement of Christmas into their stores for their customers,” Cr Conkey said.

“The aim of Council’s new competition was to encourage people to shop locally and not online by creating a unique, festive experience that customers are willing to share with their friends online.

“The competition was held on Instagram to encourage businesses to use social media to promote their bricks-and-mortar business and attract Christmas shoppers to their stores.”

The Christmas cheer doesn’t stop there. Following on from the lighting of the tree in the Victory Memorial Gardens for Christmas 2017, this year Council switched on lights at all five pedestrian crossings on Baylis Street.

Director of community, Janice Summerhayes, said like the tree lights, the lights in the CBD will light up street year-round from dusk to early morning. 

There is a total of 200 metres of fairy lights and 150 metres of icicle lights – all to bring the spirit of the holiday into Wagga.

“In addition, new and existing Wagga Christmas flags have been installed in the CBD, a Wagga Christmas projection is running each night on the side of the Civic Centre building in the Civic Centre precinct,’ Ms Summerhayes said.