Let us know about car-stopping lights

The Midlands is beginning to shine brightly, as residents adorn their homes with holiday lights.

As usual, The State will run a list of some of the more spectacular light displays.

And again, we are asking for your help.

If you live in Richland, Lexington or Kershaw counties and are planning an elaborate light show- or know of someone who is -we’d like to hear about it.

What’s elaborate, you ask? If the display is one you wouldn’t mind making a 20-minute drive to see, or if it would cause the average driver to slow down for a better look, then we definitely want to hear about it.

We’ll run a list of those displays in your neighborhoods in the Dec. 18 editions of Neighbors. The listings also will be posted online, at www.thestate.com

Include the address of the display, a little information about it, a nearby cross street and the name of the neighborhood or subdivision. Also include your name and a contact phone number. Mail to The State, Neighbors Holiday Lights, P.O. Box 1333, Columbia, SC 29202. Or e-mail information to dkujawa@thestate.com.

The deadline to submit nominations is Dec. 11.

UPCOMING EVENTS

In your neighborhood

Catfish Stomp in Elgin

Catfish will come calling Saturday at Elgin’s annual Catfish Stomp.

The festival’s popular catfish stew will be available as well as fried catfish at Blaney Fire Department, behind Town Hall.

The parade gets under way at 10 a.m. on Main Street, followed by carnival activities and live entertainment throughout the day.

Featured performers include the J.T. Steele Band of Elgin, Neon Horizon of West Columbia, Dance Extraordinaire of Camden and the Blaney Elementary School chorus.

The event typically draws 15,000 to 25,000 people to the town. For those who don’t like catfish, other food vendors will be set up, and arts and crafts will be on display.

Elgin is just over the Kershaw County line. For more information about the event, call Blaney Fire Department at (803) 438-9371.

Devine fun

Devine Street merchants will open their doors from 5-9 tonight for the annual Devine Evening.

Merchants from Hilton to Ott streets will have their best on display. The evening also will feature live entertainment, a visit from Santa and a 6:30 p.m. tree lighting at Shandon Fire Station.

HELPING HANDS

Fund-raisers and more

Movie poster sale Saturday

More than 500 movie posters will be for sale 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Nickelodeon Theatre, 937 Main St., behind the State House. Most posters are $15 to $25, although some cost less. The nonprofit Nickelodeon Theatre, which screens independent and international movies, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2004.