Winners preparing for holiday decorating contest

While it might be too early for some to start thinking about the Schaumburg Park District’s early December Holiday House Decorating Contest, let’s be honest and admit that the families who’re going to win already have it on their minds.

Entry forms, which are available at parkfun.com or the park district’s winter program guide, must be submitted by 9 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg.

Eligible houses must be within the Schaumburg Park District’s boundaries and decorated before Dec. 5.

The first 10 houses entered will be judged on originality, arrangement, theme and overall design during the Holiday House Decorating Tour on both Dec. 5 and 8.

Those wishing to be judges on the tour should preregister by calling (847) 490-7020 or visiting parkfun.com. The resident fee to join the tour is $5 per person while the nonresident fee is $7 per person.

Both tours will leave by bus from the Community Recreation Center at 6 p.m. and return at 8:30 p.m. on their respective dates.

The all-ages tour is on Dec. 5, while the Dec. 8 tour is for adults only. The same houses will be judged on both days.

Contest participants cannot join in the judging, but they may go along on either tour.

The winning entrants will be notified on Dec. 9. They will be listed on the park district’s cable channel and featured on parkfun.com.