Get ready to sparkle, shine, and show your stars and stripes, Poway! In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the City of Poway is proud to announce its first-ever Red, White & WOW! patriotic decorating contest.
Poway is already known for its Fourth of July traditions including festivities at Old Poway Park, Veterans Park and two spectacular firework shows. This inaugural contest invites residents and businesses to join in the Semiquincentennial spirit with a community-wide celebration of all things red, white and blue.
Poway residents have two options to choose to participate: best outdoor display or best window display. Businesses compete in a separate category.
Everyone gets a say in choosing winners via the People’s Choice award, with online voting open between June 22 and July 2. A digital map featuring photos and locations of all contest entries will be available on the City’s website, making it easy for residents to explore and support their favorite displays. A special panel of judges from local veterans and military service organizations will name Judge’s Choice awards in each category.
The contest is open for Poway residents and businesses. Registered participants receive a yard sign encouraging their fans to vote. Decorations must be visible from a public sidewalk or street and displayed between June 22 and July 5.
Read the contest guidelines below and register online by June 15 at 5 p.m.
Contest Guidelines
- Submission Period: Applications open March 30 or April 20 and due June 1 by 5 p.m.
- Eligibility: Open to residents and businesses within Poway City limits.
- Theme: Decorations must be patriotic (not political, party-affiliated, or offensive).
- Visibility: Decorations must be visible from the sidewalk or street.
- Display Period: Decorations must be displayed from June 22 to July 5.
- Safety: All décor must follow safety guidelines and not obstruct sidewalks, driveways, or public access.
- Identification: All participants will receive a yard sign to identify their residence or business for the contest.
- Winning: Participants can only win in one category.
- Registration: Participation is free.
- Photo Consent: Participants agree to have a photo of their decorated home and their address on the website/social media for the community to view. Participants should be aware that residents may drive by to view decorations.
- Enrollment Cap:
- Residential/Multi-family: 50 Applicants
- Businesses: 30 Applicants
- Judging: Judges will stop by on June 24 to view decorations and displays.
- Entries will be evaluated by a panel of four judges with affiliations to Veteran organizations and military service.
- Entries will be voted on by the City of Poway Community for a People’s Choice award.
- Disqualification: Applicants not following these guidelines may be disqualified from the contest.