JACK O’ LANTERNS DOWNTOWN!

Rules for Jack O’ Lanterns Downtown

The Jack O’Lanterns Downtown carving contest, to be held on Market Street in Downtown is a community celebration presented in Downtown Redding. Participants are invited to create an original Jack-o’lantern for display and judging on Market Street.

Eligibility

The contest is open to individuals, families, groups and participating businesses unless otherwise specified for a particular prize category.

There is no fee, purchase or donations necessary to enter.

 Each entry must be the original work of the person, family or group entering the contest. Participants may receive assistance necessary for safety, particularly children using carving tools.

 Entries

 Contestants must enroll online (LINK HERE).

Each contestant or team may submit one entry in each category for which they are eligible.

 Entries must use a real pumpkin as the primary element of the design.

 Pumpkins may be carved, sculpted, painted or decorated. Props and additional decorative materials may be used, but the pumpkin must remain the primary feature of the entry.

Entries must be suitable for a community event attended by people of all ages. Viva Downtown reserves the right to decline or remove entries containing obscene, discriminatory, excessively graphic or otherwise inappropriate material.

 No open flames are permitted. Small Battery-operated candle (tea-light size) will be provided.

 Entries must be structurally sound, stand on their own, and suitable for public display.

 Registration and Display

All entries must be registered and delivered to the designated Market Street location during the announced entry period.

Information about the  location and arrival time for each completed pumpkin will be sent by email to the contestant after they complete and submit the registration from.

Each entry will receive an identifying number. Contestant names will not be displayed to judges during judging whenever practical.

Entries may not arrive late.

Participants are responsible for retrieving their pumpkins following the contest during the announced pickup period. Viva Downtown may dispose of pumpkins that have deteriorated or have not been retrieved after the pickup deadline.

Judging

Entries will be judged according to the category in which they are entered.

 Judges may consider:

·       Creativity and originality

·       Craftsmanship and execution

·       Use of the pumpkin as part of the design

·       Overall visual impact

·       Relationship to the category or theme

 Judges will evaluate the entry itself and not the identity of the contestant. The judges' decisions are final.

In the event of a tie, the judging panel will determine the winner through a second vote or tie-breaking review.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded in the categories announced for the contest.

Adult Prizes:

First Place - $500

Second Place - $250

Third Place -$100

People Choice - $250

Kids (11 and Under) Prize: Ice Cream Certificate.

 A participant may win only one major cash prize unless otherwise announced.

Winners must provide the information reasonably necessary for Viva Downtown to issue the prize.

Prizes are not transferable.

 Publicity

 By entering, participants give Viva Downtown permission to photograph or video their entry and to use images of the entry for event promotion, social media, publicity and future promotion of the Jack O’Lantern on Market Street Contest.

For participants under 18, registration must be completed or approved by a parent or legal guardian.

Contest Administration

 Viva Downtown may modify contest procedures when necessary because of weather, public safety, pumpkin deterioration or circumstances outside the organization's control.

Viva Downtown staff, contest judges and their immediate households may participate for display purposes but are not eligible for cash prizes.

Participation in the contest constitutes acceptance of these rules.