Parkesburg residents are invited to participate in the annual Parkesburg Lions Club holiday decorating contest. As part of the tradition, local homeowners are invited to decorate their homes for the holiday season, which will be judged by a panel of judges, as well as community members.

Lions Club members and students from the club-sponsored Octorara Leo Club from Octorara Junior-Senior High School will drive around to judge the entries on Friday, Dec. 19, after 5:30 p.m. The judges will decide on the first-, second- and third-place winners. 

In addition to the panel of judges, community voting will determine the "Parkesburg Pick." Those who want to participate in voting for the "Parkesburg Pick" home are asked to send $1 via Venmo to @ParkesburgLionsClub indicating their choice in the note.

Community members are asked to cast their votes between Friday, Nov. 28, and Thursday, Dec. 18. "People should drive around and look at the homes in person. They can vote on whatever house they want," noted Karen Fronefield, Lions Club president. "There is a way to make a note in Venmo, and they should put the address of the house they are voting for."

All funds raised through voting will be put toward charities that benefit the visually impaired. "It is like (an alternative) to the White Cane fundraiser. We are trying to do different fundraisers," Fronefield noted.

Fronefield said that the community voting encourages residents to spend an evening together checking out the holiday lights, which was once a tradition for many families. "It's more fun to see the houses in person. You can't get a good impression from a photo," she stated. "There are houses that you can tell it took a lot of time to decorate. Some people go all out."

"There is nothing better to get in the holiday spirit than to drive around your community looking at all of the wonderful holiday decorations," added Lions Club member Robin McKenna. "Parkesburg residents always do a fantastic job in decorating their homes, and it does not go unnoticed."

There will be prizes for the top three homes, and the 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.

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 6:30 p.m. at Parkesburg Baptist Church, 103 West St. When meetings are held at different locations, information is posted on the Facebook page.

Upcoming events for the Parkesburg Lions Club in 2026 include a February food drive at Dutch-Way Farm Market; a veterans/soldiers project; Tingo, which is a tea combined with a mini bingo game; and an Easter breakfast. 

For more information and to register a home for the holiday decorating contest, visit the "Parkesburg Lions Club - New and Improved" Facebook page. Those with questions may contact Fronefield at 484-678-4231.