Who will be crowned Clark Griswold?

It’s tradition for many families to drive around to look at the holiday lights in people’s yard, and Lake Financial Group in Port Washington is doing its part to make that easier for everyone in the Port-Saukville area.

The firm has sponsored a holiday lighting contest for the past four years, and this year has a record number of entries.

Twenty-nine houses are registered for this year’s contest, all of them listed on a map that Lake Financial put together.

“This is just something good for families to enjoy and people to do,” company co-owner Brian Barber said. “I know it’s been a really good time driving around with my kids.”

The contest has grown significantly, Barber said, noting this year employee Lauralynn Voigt, who has expertise in marketing, has taken on the project.

“It has been incredible how it’s grown,” Barber said.

Houses can be nominated for the contest by anyone, their owners or someone who’s admired them. They are listed on a map available both on the Lake Financial Group website and in a number of local businesses, along with photos of each.

“Having a map to know which ones to hit has made this much more enjoyable for people,” Barber said.

Each house has a numbered sign in the yard so people can vote for their favorite house, Barber said.

“We had 75 votes in the first day that the competition opened,” he said.

Some property owners only found out their house was on the list when Voigt placed the numbers in the yard, Barber noted.

“The look on their face, it was good to see,” he said. “They were excited that someone liked their house.

“After all, you usually don’t know if people enjoy your house or not.”

The houses are competing for three awards — Best in Show, to be determined by Port Mayor Ted Neitzke; the Clark Griswold Award, named for the lead character in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” to be awarded by Port Main Street Inc.; and the People’s Choice Award selected by people who drive by the homes.

People can vote either online at www.lakefg.com or by using paper ballots found at local businesses. These ballots may be dropped off in the red mailbox outside the company’s office at 102 E. Pier St.

Votes will be accepted through Dec. 28, and the winners will be announced on Dec. 30.

The winners will each receive a Port Main Street gift certificate — “What a great way for someone to enjoy their prize and make sure the money stays in the city and supports local businesses,” Barber said — as well as a leg lamp like the one made famous in “A Christmas Story.”

“I think everyone is doing this just to be in the Christmas spirit,” he said, but the prizes are a bonus.

Barber said the contest was inspired by memories of he and his father Steve decorating their house for the holidays and competing in a Christmas lighting contest.

“It was a lot of fun,” Barber said. “This was a tradition. I remember years and years ago decorating with my dad to try and win the contest.

“Then it died out.”

So Lake Financial brought it back, hoping to create some memories for families today to enjoy, Barber said.

“We enjoy it, and we’re hoping people around town do too,” he said.