7th ANNUAL HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST
The Oneonta Business Association is in its seventh year with the Holiday Decorating Contest. The goal is to make Oneonta a holiday attraction and shopping destination. The OBA is working with the City of Oneonta and local groups and organizations to make this year's FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS the best Christmas ever for our hometown with this decorating contest, the Christmas tree contest, the Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with special performances, Santa Claus, and decking out the town with lights, lights, lights, and more lights! Join in the fun, get in the Christmas spirit, and let's bring lots of people to our City this holiday season to experience all that Oneonta has to offer!
AWARD CATEGORIES
- Clark Griswold Award (in reference to the movie “Christmas Vacation”)
- Best Use of Theme ("Festival of Lights")
- Most Creative (Outstanding artistic ability)
- Most Original (Not your usual, everyday Christmas décor)
- Best Use of Merchandise (Using your products/tools in your decorating)
- Most “Oneonta” (Best represents our hometown Oneonta)
- People’s Choice (Voted on by the public - See details below)
- Best of Show (You blew the judges’ minds!)
Free Registration
To compete in this contest, an entry form showing intent to participate must be completed, signed, and submitted to the OBA no later than Friday, November 22, 2019*. Registration form may be mailed to the OBA at P. O. Box 1976, Oneonta, AL 35121, faxed to 205-625-0164, or completed online here. If you are unsure of your entry’s location at time of registration, you can leave that part blank and let us know ASAP.
*Exception will be made for later entries, but we'd like to get a good sense of how many are participating by November 22, 2019.
*Exception will be made for later entries, but we'd like to get a good sense of how many are participating by November 22, 2019.
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 5 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2019. That's the evening of our Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. down by the Gazebo and Angels in Oneonta mural.
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 November 29-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 from November 29-January 1.
Judging
A panel of out-of-county judges with no ties to Oneonta or Blount County will examine all entries during evening hours on an unannounced date between November 30-December 7, 2019. Entries will be judged and winners chosen for the categories listed above. 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.
People's Choice Award
People's Choice Award winner will be determined by the entry receiving the most LIKES in the photo gallery on the OBA's Facebook page after it is published the first week in December. LIKES will be tallied at midnight on Saturday, December 7, to determine the winner.
Announcement of Winners
Winners will be announced at a special brief ceremony at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at the Gazebo/Angels in Oneonta mural area. All entries must have a representative present so that photos can be made. This event is being held one hour prior to the start of the Christmas parade. Rain Date for parade and this awards event is Thursday, December 12, 2019.
Special Notice
Registration gives consent for entry photos to be featured in local media, and the 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 6th Annual Holiday Decorating Contest.
