There is No Place Like LBI for Scarecrows as voters pick 2010 winners

Oct. 28, 2010 - PRLog -- Billed as the largest Scarecrow Contest on the Jersey Shore, this year’s entrants really rose to the challenge, from flooding and severe weather to stolen displays. Regardless, their creations were true fall ambassadors who kept smiling under pressure whether viewed in person or online from the beginning of the contest Chowderfest Weekend to the final tally on morning of October 28. The contest was viewed online almost 1700 times with half casting a vote by submitting their email address for a favorite on visitLBIregion.com. The Chamber has received several calls from both in and outside the area after touring scarecrow displays thanking the region for such enjoyment and wholesome fun. The scarecrows also have commercial appeal allowing each organization the opportunity to submit an online message along with their scarecrow that helps introduce their services to potential consumers while also reaching out to current ones for support.

The winner this year for the Business Entry was The Van Dyk Group who set up a Wizard of Oz display complete with yellow brick road, Dorothy, Tin Man and Lion at their Beach Haven Terrace office. "This was a group effort, it is lots of fun and a wonderful community program", stated Marlene Romanowski of The Van Dyk Group. The winner for a second year under the Non Profit Catergory was Pine Shore Art Association in Manahawkin who entered Nora Rocks, a sculptor scarecrow that captivated voters by her skill with a chisel. Chris Kouts, spokesperson for the group was thrilled with winning another year. The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce will invite representatives from The Van Dyk Group and Pine Shores Art Association to the November 9 Membership Luncheon where they will be recognized and receive the 2010 Scarecrow Row Trophy. The contest in run through the Chamber's Destination Marketing Organization which positvely promotes the region to visitors and residents.

A special thank you goes to all who participated in this year’s Decorated Scarecrow Contest; sharing their creativity with everyone who visited the Long Beach Island Region of the Jersey Shore in person or on the web. Registered businesses and community organizations were: Atlantic Heights, Brighton Beach Surf Shop, The Buccaneer Motel, Buckalew’s Restaurant, Baker’s Acres Campground, Brant Beach Homeowner’s Association, Breezin Up, Café Bacio, Causeway Marine, Country Kettle Chowda, Coldwell Banker Sand Dollar Real Estate, Coconuts, Fisherman’s HQ, Fisheads, Girl Scouts of Jersey Shore Troops 165, 364 & 504, Home Depot, Island Wellness Center, Jeffries & Co, Kapler’s Pharmacy, Karing with Kindness, Lighthouse Christian Academy, The Magnolia House B&B, Lakewood Blue Claws, LBI Rotary Club, La Sorelle, LBI Consolidated School District, Ocean County Library Tuckerton Branch, Ocean Family Dental, Ocean Side Bait and Tackle, Panzone’s Pizza Surf City,  The Red Chair, Red Sails Salon,  Reynolds Landscaping, The Sandpiper Restaurant, Stafford Vet Hospital, The Sandpaper, The Seaspray Motel, Sea Spray Services, Sink R Swim, St Francis, Summerville at Stafford, Soroptimists International of LBI, SwellColors Glass Studio, Tuckerton Seaport, Surflight Theatre, TGI Friday’s, Verizon Wireless, Wave Hog Surf Shop, and Weichert Realtors Ship Bottom.

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