By Leah Sanders
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER – A Christmas decorating contest is coming to Rochester.

People can have homes and businesses, including churches, judged by the general public in the contest, and the top three in each category will receive dollars from the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s the first one Rochester has ever had,” Anna Roe said of the contest. She is part of a committee for this.

Rochester resident Chris White brought the idea to the city after observing a similar Mentone contest while living in that city.

He and his wife, Emiley White, also serve on the pageant committee with Roe, Gary Roe, Amy Roe and Julie Shambarger.

The committee has a Facebook group, Illuminate Rochester Indianawhere a form will open at 6 am on Saturday, November 30 for people to participate in the contest and the registration period will close on Saturday, December 14.

People can also pick up contest forms at The Shopping Guide News of Fulton County office, 617 Main St., Rochester.

Voting will be done on the group’s Facebook page, where photographs of the decorated places will be posted. A like will be equivalent to one vote.

People can also drive by to see the decorated venues in person, with street information listed in entry images on Facebook.

Places will be judged from Sunday, December 15 to midnight Saturday, December 21.

The committee is currently accepting donations for the awards, which can be sent to the Rochester Downtown Partnership at PO Box 975, Rochester, IN 46975.

“It’s one more reason to celebrate this area,” Gary said of the contest.