YARD OF THE WEEK CONTEST

Everyone loves to win!  However, all too often in some neighborhoods nobody seems to win, at least not very often.  The Yard of the Week Contest takes aim to change this.  It is a contest that appeals to a spirit that is within us all.  The spirit of winning.  While transforming the spirit, it also transforms the community as residents get involved in cleaning up and planting flowers.

The contest is best set up in the following manner:

Þ 10 week period

Þ      8 prizes each week

Þ1^st place Most Tender Loving Care

Þ 2^nd Place Most Tender Loving Care

Þ Best Overall (for those yards that would win in any neighborhood)

Þ 5 Honorable Mentions

Þ Each winner gets a yard sign to remain for as long as they want and a cash prize  (suggested prize money: $25, $20, $15, and $5-Honorable mention)

Þ      This plan could be modified according to budgets but averages $1500 for a neighborhood around 1000 residents.

Here are some start-up steps to this powerful contest:

1.        Define the area in which the contest will be held.

2.        Send out flyers to as many people as possible in the area- Hint: Send two to everyone and encourage them to pass the other one on.

3.        Recruit non-bias judges and explain categories and the purpose of the contest

4.        Judge and deliver prizes as close to the same time as possible.

5.        Record all winners’ names, addresses and telephone numbers.

6.        Have a neighborhood celebration at the end of the contest for all the winners.