To welcome the holidays and join in the festivities across the area, Edgecomb residents, organizations, and businesses are again invited decorate this year’s choice scraggly trees for our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Contest.

The creatively decorated trees will be displayed from Friday, Dec. 6 through Tuesday, Dec. 31 at the Edgecomb Town Hall on Route 27.

To encourage creative thinking, the trees will be judged and prizes awarded for The Funniest Tree, Most Eco-Friendly Tree, Old-Fashioned Holiday Tree, Maine Bicentennial Tree, and Why We Love Edgecomb Tree.

Trees will be available to decorate at the Edgecomb Town Hall on Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6, with the tree lighting and judging taking place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. Cookies, hot drinks, a holiday story, and a carol sing-along will accompany the tree lighting and judging. Prizes will be awarded at 6 p.m.

Contest application forms can be downloaded from Edgecomb’s website (www.edgecomb.org). You can also pick up a form at the Edgecomb Post Office and Edgecomb Town Hall. Entries will be limited to 20 trees. The contest is open to Edgecomb schools, churches, businesses, families, and other interested groups.

Each entrant will be provided with a less-than-perfect “scraggly” tree, a tree stand, and several strands of LED lights and power to light them. Each group will bring their own decorations for their tree. The contest fee has been waived this year; it is free for all entrants, although donations are accepted.

“The idea of a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Contest is perfect for our town,” says Ted Hugger, business owner and annual Contest entrant. “It engages the Edgecomb community in a fun and spirited holiday activity. The Town Hall sparkles, making a festive sight for residents and visitors alike throughout the holiday season.”