Picture Pittsfield to host 3rd annual Deer Santa Festival
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
The 3rd Annual Pittsfield Deer Santa Festival is scheduled for 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, on the Pike County courthouse lawn.
As in previous years, a highlight of this year’s festival is the “Deer Santa Yard Deer Display Challenge.”
Participants in the challenge may purchase an undecorated plywood yard deer from Picture Pittsfield for $40. The $40 includes the $30 material cost of the deer, as well as a $5 donation to the Pittsfield High School wood shop for cutting out the deer and a $5 donation towards the Deer Santa Festival expenses.
According to Picture Pittsfield President Patrick Lamb, 47 decorated deer were entered into the competition in 2019, and Picture Pittsfield hopes to continue growing the competition.
“Decorating a deer is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit and help your community at the same time,” Lamb said. “We want to see this competition continue to grow.”
Participants can pick up their plywood deer from Pikeland Motors (118 N. Monroe St.) starting Wednesday, Nov. 10.
The plywood deer kits will be sold on a first-come, first served basis, no holds or pre-orders. Payment for the deer is due upon pick-up, and only cash or check payments are accepted. Checks should be made out to Picture Pittsfield
Deer from prior years may be re-entered into the competition – either “as is” or redecorated. In order to re-enter previously entered deer into the contest, participants must pay a $10 donation to Picture Pittsfield. These donations will go toward Deer Santa Festival expenses and materials. The $10 is payable at deer display drop off on Nov. 28.
Participants are encouraged to decorate their deer in any family-friendly fashion they choose. Entrants should name their deer and deliver it to the courthouse square between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 28 for display at the Christmas Tree Lighting Event. Be sure to hand off the deer to a Picture Pittsfield volunteer so the proper info can be recorded for your entry into the contest. The winning deer, according to a Picture Pittsfield press release, will win fun prizes.
Deer need to be removed from the courthouse lawn by their owners between Sunday, Jan. 2 and Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022.
Lamb says the Deer Santa Festival is an integral part of supporting Picture Pittsfield’s year-long slate of community improvement activities.
“It takes a village to make all this happen,” Lamb said. “Without community support, Picture Pittsfield and so many other community organizations wouldn’t exist.”
For more specifics on the Deer Santa Festival, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1220812688398635
The Deer Santa Festival was launched in 2019 as a project of the community organization, Picture Pittsfield. Area businesses and organizations host holiday activities around the community and are listed on one community calendar. The festival kicks off with a Santa Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting event the Sunday after Thanksgiving and activities continue through December.
All information can be found at DeerSantaFestival.com
Christmas wreath auction to be held at ‘Madison House’ lobby
By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
Starting Wednesday, Nov. 10, businesses and individuals are invited to “adopt” an undecorated wreath from Pikeland Motors, 118 N. Monroe St., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., for $10, decorate it, and then return it to Pikeland Motors by Tuesday 23 or bring it on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to the Madison House Lobby (Brewed, Pike Co. Mercantile, and Reap + Sow lobby area).
Alternatively, Picture Pittsfield President Patrick Lamb says that Picture Pittsfield volunteers will deliver and pick up wreaths for the contest.
“If you or your business are interested in buying a wreath and decorating it, Picture Pittsfield will bring you the undecorated wreath and pick it back up when you’re done decorating it,” Lamb said.
Lamb emphasized that Picture Pittsfield doesn’t make any money on the undecorated wreaths, and the only money generated for Picture Pittsfield is from the auction of the decorated wreaths.
“The $10 to ‘adopt’ a wreath is what we paid for them,” Lamb said.
Wreaths will be sold on a first-come, first served basis. The wreaths will first be displayed at Madison House on Nov. 28, during the Deer Santa Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting events.
This year, sales of the wreaths will take place via a virtual silent auction on Facebook. A silent auction for each wreath will begin on Nov. 28 and continue through 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9. At that time, the silent auction will close and wreath winners will be notified. Proceeds benefit Picture Pittsfield’s 2022 community projects.
Those interested in more information about the wreath auction should contact Lamb at 217-833-3438.
