Tiki Island Lighthouse by Brett Almstead.
City of Lights House by Nick Parker.
Twenty-two large model lighthouses are vying for the $1,500 grand prize, competing for visitor votes in the 14th annual contest.
Brett Almstead and Nick Parker, both of Ridgefield, have each entered the contest before.
Almstead has entered several times, taking home the fifth-place prize in 2007. His “Tiki Island Lighthouse” this year is a four-sided angry Polynesian god-like figure. Using a fan, reflective materials and colored lighting, Almstead created the impression of fire inside the colorful figure’s mouth and eyes, and from atop its head.
Parker is a contest regular who has finished “in the money” in 2007, 2008 and 2012. His entry this year, “City of Lights House,” sets a model of the Eiffel tower on a tourist’s steamer trunk, with the scene dancing in red, white and blue lights — the colors of the French flag.
The holiday display, which will be open daily through Jan. 18, works like a juried art show except that visitors to the aquarium are the jury. Visitors can follow the homemade beacons through the Aquarium galleries and cast a vote for their favorite. The lighthouse that gets the most votes wins $1,500. There are cash awards for five runners-up, too.
Seeing the lighthouses — and casting a vote — is free with Aquarium admission. Winners will be announced at an evening reception on Jan. 21.
More information, or 203-852-0700.
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