City residents can now enter their decorated homes into the third holiday home decorating contest.
Applications are available at five locations in Pottsville and are due by 4 p.m. Dec. 7.
"The following week will be the judging," Mary Quirk, Pottsville Recreation Commission director, said.
Judging is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 to 13. The number of entries will determine how many days the judging will take place.
Similar to last year's contest, the houses will be judged in three categories - past, present and future. The winner of each category receives $100. The past category features decorations such as live garland, window candles and wreaths. Lights and color are hallmarks of the present category. Animated and inflatable decorations make up the future category.
Those who register will receive a green ornamental Christmas ball with the words "Pottsville 2012 Merry Christmas," Quirk said. They also receive a note thanking them for entering the contest.
The contest is a way to celebrate the city, Quirk said.
"Everybody goes to different extremes or not," to showcase the pride in decorating their homes, she said.
Last year, 24 homes registered for the contest. About 30 homes participated in the first event held in 2009, she said. The event was not held in 2010 due to budget constraints.
Entries may be mailed to City Hall, 401 N. Centre St., emailed to recreation@citypottsville.pa.us or entered online at www.citypottsville.pa.us.
Registration is available at: Pottsville City Hall, M&T Bank, 1 S. Centre St., The Republican-Herald office, 111 Mahantongo St,, the Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., and Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau, 300 S. Centre St.
For questions or more information, call 570-622-1234 ext. 346.