Schaumburg preps for Holiday House Decorating Contest

Just weeks after the Schaumburg Park District went looking for the scariest Halloween-decorated homes in the area, judges will soon be looking for more joyful trappings as the annual Holiday House Decorating Contest gets under way.

The first 10 houses to enter will be judged on their originality, arrangement, theme and overall design by those participating in the Holiday House Decorating Tours on Monday, Dec. 3, and Thursday, Dec. 6.

Entry forms for the contest can be found at parkfun.com or the park district’s winter program guide and are due by 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at the Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg.

Entering the contest is free, but attending the judging tours from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 6 costs $6 for park district residents and $9 for nonresidents. All ages are invited on the Dec. 3 tour, but the Dec. 6 tour is reserved for adults only.

Those competing in the contest are allowed on the tours, but cannot vote.

Registration to join the tours is strongly encouraged by calling (847) 490-7020 or visiting parkfun.com.

The winning homes will be notified Monday, Dec. 10, and listed on the park district’s cable channel and website.