Wright on the River, a group of Wrightsville citizens, will host the first-ever Christmas Deck the Bikes competition. The event is intended to increase awareness of the towns along hiking and biking trails that have been designated Trail Towns, and to create a sense of community within Wrightsville and among the other York County Trail Towns - Glen Rock, Hanover, New Freedom, Railroad, Seven Valleys and York - and the Trail Towns across the bridge - Columbia, Marietta, and Quarryville. The idea for the competition was shared with the Wrightsville Borough Council in September.

People age 16 and up are eligible to decorate a complete bike or use bike parts assembled into a unique artwork. Participants do not have to reside in a Trail Town to participate.

Artwork must be delivered to the Burning Bridge Tavern, 108 Hellam St., Wrightsville, between Friday, Dec. 8 and Wednesday, Dec. 13. The entries will be displayed from Dec. 13 through Saturday, Dec. 30 in the tavern, and they will be visible both from the street and inside the business.

The judges for the event are Tayne Slenker, mayor of Wrightsville; Brendan Salyards, economic initiatives manager for the York County Economic Alliance; and Justin Rule, board member for Columbia Economic Development Corporation. Entries will be judged on creativity, a Trail Town theme, and whimsy or sense of humor. Public votes for bikes will also be collected at the display.

The grand prize is a four-course dinner prepared and served in the winner's home in January 2024 or a gift certificate to a Trail Town business of the winner's choice. Additional prizes will be awarded.

Anyone who does not have a bike to decorate may consider asking friends and relatives or checking local resale shops, thrift stores, and metal recyclers. The Deck the Bikes group is collecting used bikes, available on a first-come, first-served basis; call Mary Ellen at 813-334-2296 for more information. Delivery and pickup of bikes can be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week.

For more details and to register as a competitor by Sunday, Dec. 10, visit http://www.wrightontheriver.com. After the competition, artwork must be picked up between Thursday, Dec. 28, and Saturday, Dec. 30. Deck the Bikes is sponsored by Sue's Market and the Burning Bridge Tavern.

York County Trail Towns have trail-friendly businesses that attract trail users by providing food and drink, a place to secure bikes and visit local attractions, water for dogs, overnight accommodations, or local shopping. To learn more about Trail Towns, visit https://yorkcountytrailtowns.com/.