Light up the Wight first launched in 2015 when the team behind Island Echo realised the yearly tradition of heading out to enjoy Christmas lights displays across the Isle of Wight was in decline, due to a decreasing number of large displays.
Spectacular displays such as those in Newchurch, Perowne Way in Sandown, Godshill High Street and Newnham Road in Binstead had disappeared with only a handful of big lights still switching on each December. This is when Island Echo decided it was time to bring the tradition into the 21st century and put the remaining displays on the map… quite literally!
The first year of Light up the Wight tested the waters with several properties simply listed in an article to help guide people around the Island. It was a great success so the following year it was decided that Light up the Wight would return and become an annual feature on Island Echo, with an easy-to-read map produced.
In 2017, Southern Vectis came on board as event sponsor and with that, a £250 top prize was introduced! This was the start of a great working relationship between Island Echo and the Island’s bus operator, who continue to run their popular open-top bus tours each Christmas.
The year of the pandemic, 2020, saw a total of 26 entries on the map including several new displays, with Culver Way in Yaverland taking the top spot in their first year. Then, in 2021, a whopping 37 properties entered the competition with more than 2,300 votes cast by Island Echo readers.
The prize money pot now sits at £700 overall, all thanks to the continued support of sponsor Southern Vectis.
