Over 50 New "Straw Party" Candidates declared in the Long Beach Island Region of the Jersey Shore

Oct. 13, 2009 - PRLog -- The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce has molded this year's Decorated Scarecrow Contest to the political process. This election does not require residency, party affiliation or even a voter registration card. The Chamber announces over 50 independent candidates will be running in the Long Beach Island Region of the Jersey Shore Scarecrow Contest and the winner will be based on popular voting done on the chamber's website at www.visitLBIregion.com. Once on the website each candidate's picture is listed in the Decorated Scarecrow Contest online photo tours. Voters will have a chance to read about each organization as well as view the display. Each entrant has been assigned a number which is what the voter will enter on their online ballot. These members of the "Straw Party" represent Chamber member businesses, non profit organizations and municipalities. They are part of destination marketing efforts to promote tourism during the fall and holiday season. "This is the largest assembly of scarecrows ever in a contest at the Jersey Shore", says Executive Director Rick Reynolds. "We have over 100 scarecrows at 50 locations within our region." That number keeps growing as more businesses throw their hat into the ring for a chance at victory. Of course, the pictures don’t do them justice, download their locations at visitLBIregion.com  and take a trip to visit them in person


Ranging from a 12' chowder chef and a crew of Shell station mechanics to a mermaid selling land front real estate or a florist with a scarecrow cast from "Little Shop of Horrors", the scarecrows are the embodiment of their creators. "Last year we introduced this contest as a friendly reminder to the thousands visiting the area during Chowderfest Weekend, that the fall is just the beginning of events and activities here in the LBI region." stated Lori Pepenella, Destination Marketing Director, "From lighthouse bonfires, haunted happenings, surfing competitions, live theater, cranberry harvest, shopping bargains, dining deals, concerts and parades; there is something every weekend through the holidays. This fun and fanciful way to promote businesses, the area and reminding all residents that is an important election year in our state."

Online voting takes place now through General Election Day on November 3, 2009. Any voter that does not have computer access can pick up a flyer with all the scarecrow locations and vote by proxy by dropping off or mailing in their choice to Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce "Attention Scarecrow Row" 265 West Ninth Street, Ship Bottom NJ 08005. For more information phone the chamber at 609 494 7211

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Providing the business and tourism community with information regarding the Long Beach Island Region of the Jersey Shore for 95 years.
The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce maintains a visitors center and the region's premiere travel website.