6th ANNUAL HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST
The Oneonta Business Association is in its sixth 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!
NEW AWARD CATEGORIES FOR 2018
- 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, everydayl 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 Thursday, November 15, 2018*. 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 no later than November 28, 2018.
*Exception will be made for later entries, but we'd like to get a good sense of how many are participating by November 15, 2018.
*Exception will be made for later entries, but we'd like to get a good sense of how many are participating by November 15, 2018.
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. There is only one category for prizes. Entrants are responsible for finding their own locations to decorate.
Deadline for Decorating
Entries must be decorated and lit by 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 29, 2018. That's the evening of our Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony!
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 28-January 1, to promote Oneonta as a holiday attraction and shopping destination. (Timers are highly encouraged to save energy.) For example, lights on from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 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 three out-of-county judges with no ties to Oneonta or Blount County will examine all entries during evening hours on an unannounced date between December 1-9, 2018. 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 Wednesday, December 12, to determine the winner.
Announcement of Winners
Winners will be announced at a special brief ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2018, in front of Miller's Soda Shoppe located in the 200 block of First Avenue East in Oneonta. All entries must have a representative present so that photos can be made.
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.
