Quarryville Borough is holding its second annual Patriotic Porch Decorating Contest to celebrate America on Independence Day and promote community spirit.

The idea for the contest was generated last year when borough manager Scott Peiffer and public events coordinator Michelle Evans saw a similar holiday decorating contest in Christiana Borough. COVID-19 restrictions were still in effect and a community-wide activity seemed like a good way to bring people together.

"I said to Scott, 'That would be awesome to do in the borough,' and that's how it came to be," Evans said. "Borough council approved it, and we did it for the first time last year. We do a couple of events a year now since the pandemic. We're trying to bring community together, boost morale and bring some good news."

The first year, 36 entrants decorated their porches or stoops to show their patriotism and possibly win prizes. The positive feeling spread, with many neighbors decorating for Fourth of July as well, even though they did not enter the contest.

The competition is open to residential properties within the Quarryville Borough limits. The decorations should be on porches or a stoop; they should not be lawn decorations. The decorations must be suitable for public viewing by people all ages and contain no inappropriate themes, political messages, symbols, words or business advertising. The borough reserves the right to disqualify any entry.

Creativity, patriotic theme and appearance are some of the elements that will be considered by the judges, who will be impartial nonresidents of Quarryville.

Local businesses are stepping up to provide prizes for the first- through fourth-place winners, plus honorable mention. The first-place winner will receive a $200 gift card from Martin Appliance and Martin Furniture and Mattress. Those awarded second and third places will each receive $100 in products donated by Stoner Decorating. The fourth-place winner will receive a $50 gift card from C.R. Lapp's Family Restaurant, with a gift basket provided by Showroom on State Street for honorable mention.

There is no fee to enter the competition, but entrants must preregister by Friday, June 24.

"We just need (people) to register so we can set up a map for the judges to follow around. They usually meet (at borough hall) and go together. Then they come back here and go over their notes and pick the winners," Evans explained.

Judging will take place on Thursday, June 30, from noon to 4 p.m. with prizes awarded following the judges' decision. To register, call the borough office at 717-786-2404 or email evansm@quarryvilleborough.com.

For more information, visit http://www.quarryvilleborough.com and choose "Quarryville Borough Porch Decorating Contest" on the homepage.