MARC organizing 2nd annual decorating contest

By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
This year’s Christmas House Decorating Contest participants are about to get pumped up.
The second annual contest, organized by Monongahela Area Revitalization Corporation and sponsored by Community Bank, will include a category for inflated decorations this holiday season.
Participation is open to all residents in Monongahela, New Eagle and Carroll Township residents with a 15063 zip code.
Entry forms are available now through Dec. 12. The contest is free, but registration is required.
Homeowners must register or be nominated by an admirer in order to be judged.
Last year, 44 homes and businesses participated in the contest. Because of the positive response, MARC has extended the registration period and has added two additional categories this year.
The new categories include Debatable Inflatables — at least five or more inflatables are required; and Anything Goes — for those who can’t decide which category fits best, don’t have a specific theme, but will wow a crowd.
All of the categories from last year return this season. They are:
• O Holy Night — the best display with a religious theme.
• Norman Rockwell — a classically nostalgic, old-fashioned Christmas.
• Clark Griswold — a display with excessive use of outdoor lighting and decorations.
• Charlie Brown — the best decorations on a doghouse, tool shed, barn, detached garage or anything but a house.
• Martha Stewart — elegant, neat and magazine-worthy.
• Best Decorated Block — the street or block in a neighborhood that has the best and most lights and decorations.
Businesses are also encouraged to participate in the Best Store Front category.
MARC offers this as free community event so area residents will participate. Get out those decorations and “Deck the Halls.”
Entry forms can be picked up at Community Bank, the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce, Cox Market, Sparkles by Shell, Little City Coffee and Hills Restaurant.
Entry forms can also be obtained on the MARC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MonongahelaAreaRevitalizationCorporation/MARC.
To be eligible, participants must fill out and submit an entry form no later than 4 p.m. on Dec. 12.
Judging will be based on curb appeal as viewed strictly from the street and will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 through Dec. 18.
Participants should ensure that all lights, animations and decorations are in place and activated throughout the judging period.
Winning homeowners will be awarded a congratulatory sign in their front yard on Dec. 21 and will receive an 8×10 color photo of their home’s Christmas display.
MARC hopes to make the City of Monongahela and the surrounding area a Christmas showcase again this holiday season.