Fort Chamber offering two contests: Fall decorating and jingling to promote Fort

The Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce and Fort Atkinson Tourism Department have announced that they are hosting two contests. The first is a fall decorating contest, and the second is a jingle contest. The jingle will be used to promote Fort Atkinson. 

Decorate for fall 

According to information released by the chamber, judges will soon be touring Fort Atkinson, looking for the homes and businesses with the best fall decor. 

Winners within several categories will be selected by a panel of judges “around Monday, Oct. 24 through Wednesday, Oct. 26,” the release states. Winners will be announced by Friday, Oct. 28. 

Three residences and three businesses will be selected in the following categories: “Spookiest/best Halloween-themed décor,” “Best harvest-themed décor,” and “Most artistic/creative décor.” 

A “Block that Rocks” recognition also will be announced, with the best decorated residential and business blocks each recognized with social shoutouts and other acknowledgements, which, the release noted, are still being determined. 

Jingle all the way 

Additionally, the chamber and tourism department are looking for “jinglers” of all types, from amateurs to professionals, kids to adults, to participate in a second contest designed to find the “perfect jingle to promote Fort Atkinson,” according to a recent release. 

The jingle can be developed and entered into the contest by individuals, school groups, choirs, bands, and even people, according to the release, “who normally just sing alone in their cars.” 

The chamber is accepting jingle entries, including applications, along with audio or video clips of the jingle, through Nov. 1. 

The winner of the jingle contest will have bragging rights, and they will receive prizes such as chamber gift certificates.

Those interested in participating in the contest are encouraged to submit a video or audio clip, along with an application, found here: https://fortchamber.com/contest. Both the jingle submission and application can be emailed to tourism@fortchamber.com. 

Participants may make more than one entry, but an application form must be submitted with each entry, according to information released by the chamber. 

Group submissions must include the signature on the application from each member of the group. Participants who are under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the application form. 

Contest updates will be made available by the chamber on its Facebook page. 

A list of rules is as follows: 

• Anyone of any skill level may participate. If you’re under age 18, you will need your parent or guardian’s permission.
• This contest is open to everyone, not just residents of Fort Atkinson.
• Lyrics and music must be original. While the performer or performers do not need to be the writers, all creators and performers should be properly credited. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
• Jingle should be no longer than ten seconds long and must include “Fort Atkinson” at least once.
• Jingle placement most likely will be at the end of radio advertisements but may be used in other ways.
• Quality counts. Clear recordings have a better chance of being selected than muffled or quiet recordings.
• While both video clips and audio clips are acceptable, video clips are preferred.
• All submissions become the property of The Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce and may be used as the Chamber chooses.
• While the Chamber may share submissions and encourage the public to vote and give feedback, the winner(s) will be selected solely by the Chamber Board or by a to-be-determined Jingle Committee.
• Submissions may NOT be anonymous. Submissions will be shared on the Chamber’s social media accounts and elsewhere and the applicants and winner(s) will be given due credit and publicly identified.
• The Chamber reserves the right to use and share no, any, or all submissions for future advertising and promotional purposes with no end date.
• Entry deadline is end of day on November 1, 2022.