Parkesburg residents who are creative and festive when decorating their homes for the season are invited to take part in the Parkesburg Lions Club's annual holiday decorating contest. 

A panel of judges will drive around during the evening of Friday, Dec. 13, for judging. "(Participants should) be sure to have any lights, blow-ups, etc., ready to be judged by 6 p.m.," noted Lions Club president Robin McKenna.

There is no fee to participate, but homeowners should register by Tuesday, Dec. 10. Those who would like to participate should send a message to McKenna at the club's Facebook page, "Parkesburg Lions Club - New and Improved."

New this year is that residents will be able to vote for their favorite homes. There is a nominal fee per vote, and proceeds will be given to a local resident in need. More information and a QR code to donate are listed on the Facebook page.

"There will be prizes for the top three homes," said McKenna, noting that the winners will be determined by the judges and the residents. "In addition, these winners will be provided with a sign to be displayed (in their yard) that indicates their winning status." The signs will be collected by the Lions after the holidays.

McKenna also announced the results of the annual Parkesburg Lions Club Halloween Parade, which was held on Oct. 26. The parade, which stepped off from the A. Duie Pyle parking lot and traveled along First Avenue, included costumed children, adults and groups. Also featured were floats, performance groups, fire companies and vehicles, all of which were judged for a chance to win cash prizes.

Philip Roomet won the adult category dressed as Jack Sparrow. Noah Stannor won the children's category dressed as El Toro Loco, a monster truck. Keystone Fire Company took first place in the fire company division. The top group was the Chess Club from the Parkesburg Free Library; members of Chess Club were dressed as slices of pizza. 

Other activities of the Parkesburg Lions Club include quarterly food drives at Dutch-Way Farm Market in Christiana. McKenna reported that the most recent food drive in early November resulted in 903 pounds of nonperishable food donated to the Octorara Area Food Cupboard. 

The Parkesburg Lions Club will be in attendance at the Christmas on Main Street event being held on Main Street in Parkesburg on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 6 p.m. Club members will provide hot chocolate.

The club is also collecting clean plastics through a recycling program offered by the Trex Company. Collection containers are located at Parkesburg Free Library, 105 West St.; Fulton Bank, 100 W. First Ave., Parkesburg; and Pine Creek Animal Hospital, 150 Pine Creek Drive, Gap. "So far, five benches have been added to the Parkesburg community through these efforts," McKenna noted.

In addition, the club has placed collection boxes in the community where residents can place used or unwanted eyeglasses, which are later refurbished into new eyewear for people in need. Collection containers are located at Walmart,100 Commons Drive, Parkesburg, at the Parkesburg Library and at local eye doctors' offices. Glasses can also be given to any Lions Club member. 

The Parkesburg Lions Club is always looking for new members. Prospective members are invited to attend a club meeting. Meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Parkesburg Baptist Church, 103 West St. When meetings are held at different locations, information is posted on the Facebook page.

An upcoming fundraiser, Tingo, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. This event is a tea combined with a mini bingo game. 

For more information about the Lions Club or any of the activities, contact McKenna via the Facebook page or at 484-247-4080.