Liam and Sarah, former youth friends, are the competitive mayors of East and West Riverton, two towns who split unnaturally across a New Hampshire river by referendum 50 years ago, rivaling most in the annual seasonal decoration contest, which they both make this year, when the winner aspires a valuable HQ implant by the commercial sponsor, Ben Clark's candle company.
Sarah's pre-teen son Justin decides to help his divorced father's team in Liam's town, and becomes the mayor's protege. Like the mayoral assistants, suspiciously close friends, the teams and towns are finally drawn together as the main competitor is too strong for either to beat alone.