Decked out!
Winners of the Holiday Indoor Decorating Contest showcase festiveness
Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Holiday Indoor Decorating
Contest by Oakland Nurseries
and The Dispatch. ● The idea for this contest came about through the popular summertime Backyard Garden Awards partnership with Oakland and the Ohio State
University Master Gardener program. ● “There’s lots of hype around outdoor lights but not so much focus indoors,” said Eric Wygle,
marketing promotions and community affairs manager for The Dispatch.
Far more people decorate indoors than outdoors, Wygle said, so why not have a contest that showcases their work?
Wygle said he was overwhelmed by the participation: Almost 740 submissions were received.
Mark Reiner, Oakland Nurseries vice president, echoed that response.
It was “fantastic,” he said.
“We had hopes that people would be excited about it, but being the first year, you never know what to expect. The momentum started with (The Dispatch Backyard Garden Awards), and that program started modestly and took off and has grown consistently every year.”
Plus, Reiner said, submitting entries was easy and “people love decorating for the holidays.”
A panel of judges from Oakland Nurseries and The Dispatch chose the top three winners.
Thank you to all who participated and we hope to make this an annual event. Happy holidays! bkover@dispatch.com
@Koverbecky