12th ANNUAL HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST
Sign your business up for a chance to win 1st Place, 2nd Place, or 3rd Place. We are adding a Merchants Choice award this year too!
OBA Christmas Registrations (Business decorating contests)
Who Can Enter: Entrants do not have to be a member of the OBA to participate in the competition. There is no entry fee. Businesses, organizations, churches, clubs, school groups, and individuals may enter. Entrants are responsible for finding their own locations to decorate.
Deadline for Decorating: Entries must be decorated and lit by November 14th, 2024.
Location of Entries: Locations of entries must be in the business district of Oneonta, i.e., highways leading into the city, the downtown streets, and surrounding areas. All entries must be within the city limits of Oneonta. Registration cannot be accepted for entries located at residential homes not in a business zone. Possible locations may include storefronts, store windows, buildings and structures, grounds, city entrances, sides of highways and streets (not on the right of way). Businesses might allow school groups or organizations to decorate for them. Entrants are fully responsible for gaining permission to decorate areas that belong to someone else, whether it be the City, a business, or property owner, etc. The OBA will not be responsible for making such contacts and/or arrangements.
Decorating Requirements: Entries will be judged on “curb appeal.” Indoor decorations will not be included in the judging unless they can be viewed from outside, i.e., windows, doors, etc. All entries must include lights/illumination and be in good taste and family-oriented. All entries must remain lit (during waking hours) and decorated from December 8th to January 1, to promote Oneonta as a holiday attraction and shopping destination. (Timers are highly encouraged to save energy. For example, lights on from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) Entrants should monitor their displays to make sure lights are working and properly maintained.
Judging: A panel judges will examine all entries during evening hours on an unannounced date between November 14th to November 20th. The public will also vote for their favorites in an online gallery on the Oneonta Downtown District Facebook page.
People’s Choice, Merchants Choice,
Judges’ Choice, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place
No interaction is allowed whatsoever with the judges should you be at your location when they come around. Do not greet them, do not invite them inside. No contact is allowed or you risk disqualification.
Announcement of Winners: Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony (During our Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 29th) at the Gazebo Green, 1st Avenue at 4th Street. We ask that entries have a representative present so that photos can be made.
Special Notice: Registration gives consent for entry photos to be featured in local media, OBA’s website, and social media. Entrants by the signature of their representative agree to defend, indemnify, and hold the OBA, its officers, officials, and volunteers harmless from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses, or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connect with their participation in the 10th Annual Holiday Decorating Contest.
You can sign up online today by CLICKING HERE
Questions? Call Tara with the OBA at 205-473-6410 or email [email protected]
Who Can Enter: Entrants do not have to be a member of the OBA to participate in the competition. There is no entry fee. Businesses, organizations, churches, clubs, school groups, and individuals may enter. Entrants are responsible for finding their own locations to decorate.
Deadline for Decorating: Entries must be decorated and lit by November 14th, 2024.
Location of Entries: Locations of entries must be in the business district of Oneonta, i.e., highways leading into the city, the downtown streets, and surrounding areas. All entries must be within the city limits of Oneonta. Registration cannot be accepted for entries located at residential homes not in a business zone. Possible locations may include storefronts, store windows, buildings and structures, grounds, city entrances, sides of highways and streets (not on the right of way). Businesses might allow school groups or organizations to decorate for them. Entrants are fully responsible for gaining permission to decorate areas that belong to someone else, whether it be the City, a business, or property owner, etc. The OBA will not be responsible for making such contacts and/or arrangements.
Decorating Requirements: Entries will be judged on “curb appeal.” Indoor decorations will not be included in the judging unless they can be viewed from outside, i.e., windows, doors, etc. All entries must include lights/illumination and be in good taste and family-oriented. All entries must remain lit (during waking hours) and decorated from December 8th to January 1, to promote Oneonta as a holiday attraction and shopping destination. (Timers are highly encouraged to save energy. For example, lights on from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) Entrants should monitor their displays to make sure lights are working and properly maintained.
Judging: A panel judges will examine all entries during evening hours on an unannounced date between November 14th to November 20th. The public will also vote for their favorites in an online gallery on the Oneonta Downtown District Facebook page.
People’s Choice, Merchants Choice,
Judges’ Choice, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place
No interaction is allowed whatsoever with the judges should you be at your location when they come around. Do not greet them, do not invite them inside. No contact is allowed or you risk disqualification.
Announcement of Winners: Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony (During our Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 29th) at the Gazebo Green, 1st Avenue at 4th Street. We ask that entries have a representative present so that photos can be made.
Special Notice: Registration gives consent for entry photos to be featured in local media, OBA’s website, and social media. Entrants by the signature of their representative agree to defend, indemnify, and hold the OBA, its officers, officials, and volunteers harmless from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses, or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connect with their participation in the 10th Annual Holiday Decorating Contest.
You can sign up online today by CLICKING HERE
Questions? Call Tara with the OBA at 205-473-6410 or email [email protected]
