Entry Application Period: 11/20 through 12/8/2023

Judging Period: 12/14 through 12/18/2023

Winners Announced: 12/20/2023

Please read these rules and instructions. If you have any questions contact Parks & Recreation at

704-321-7275. Entry applications are available at the Community Center, or on-line at

matthewsnc.gov/deckthehouse.

 

1. Participation is open to all residents in the Matthews 28105 area code.

2. Entry is free, no cost or fees apply.

3. Employees of the Town of Matthews or members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board are not eligible to

participate.

4. Entry Applications must be received no later than 5pm on Friday, December 8, 2023.

5. Contest is for exterior decorations only, including decorations in windows that are visible from the exterior.

Judging will be done from outside the residence only.

6. Judging will be based on “curb appeal” as viewed from the street only. Therefore only those decorations located

on the street/public side of the property will be judged (corner lots will be judged from both streets). Judges will

not enter the property to view back or side yards.

7. There will be one category for formal judging: detached single-family homes. Contest will be limited to the first 30

entries.

8. There will also be a Facebook-driven Fan Favorite Vote.

9. Judging will include a total of 100 possible points based on this criteria: [a] First Impression/Overall Presentation

20 points; [b] Quantity, the number of lights around the house 20 points; [c] Variety, different kinds of lights

displayed (i.e. string lights, net lights, icicle lights,ect.) 20 points; [d] Artistic Effect theme, balance of lights, ect. 20

points; and [e] Ingenuity, the use of unexpected elements 20 points. ALL recognized holiday representations are

welcome and anything you want judges to know may be noted on the entry form (Kwanzaa, Christmas, Diwali,

Hanukkah, special theme or story, etc).

10. Category judging will be done from 6pm-9pm each evening: Thursday through Monday, December 14-18, 2023.

11. Participants should ensure that all lights, animations and decorations are in place and activated for the judging

periods on all nights. Having displays activated through December 31 for the Facebook Fan Favorite Vote is

encouraged!

12. An Entry Number will be provided to each participant. This number must be placed in the yard or on the exterior of

the display in a very conspicuous place, where it can be seen by the judges from the street/front at night

(mailbox, step-in sign, balcony rail, etc).

13. Three prizes will be awarded in each category: One 1st prize of a $175 home improvement gift card, custom

trophy, and bragging rights for a year; one 2nd prize of a $125 home improvement gift card; one 3rd prize of a

$100 home improvement gift card. The Facebook Fan Favorite will receive a trophy.

14. Winners will be announced by 5pm on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, via Town of Matthews social media sites

and the contest web page (matthewsnc.gov/deckthehouse).

15. Participants agree to have the address of their display posted on the contest web page, as a 'stop on the Deck the

House Tour' for the public to enjoy. We highly suggest entries be on easily navigated streets, and your neighbors

are notified of the contest and its possible traffic flow.

16. Participants agree to have one or more photos of their decorated residence exterior posted on the Town of

Matthews social media sites, contest web page, contest press releases, internal communications, and newsletters.

Participant agrees there will be no compensation of any kind for said posting or publication.

17. Repeat winners will be allowed in subsequent years, with a one-year skip in entry and an overall change in design.