Becky Kuntzelman | Johnson Publications
First place in the city’s Fall Light Pole Decorating Contest went to Doug and Judy Gaswick for their entry between 7th and 8th Streets. They won the top prize of $250.
Becky Kuntzelman | Johnson Publications
Second place in the pole decorating contest went to Joyce and Ray Malleck and family, winning $150. Joyce is shown with their design near the coop station.
Becky Kuntzelman | Johnson Publications
Third place, winning $100, went to Veterinary Services for their display at 7th and Broadway. Representing the business are, from left, Hadley Worth, Angie Worth, Henley Worth and Hayden Worth.
Fall light pole winners promote agriculture
The community’s main street is festive with 19 light poles decorated in autumn-colored themes.
This was the second year for the city’s Fall Light Pole Decorating Contest.
In first place, winning $250, were Doug and Judy Gaswick with a bountiful harvest farm theme including an antique tractor and scarecrow with crows decorating the arms.
The Gaswicks plan to donate their winnings—splitting it between the Imperial Community Foundation Fund and the Giving Circle.
Their pole is located along Broadway between the library and city gym.
In second place, Joyce and Ray Malleck and family also went with a colorful farm theme using multiple types of growing plants, repurposed items, an antique lister and a welcome sign for visitors entering town from the south.
Their pole is in front of the Frenchman Valley Coop petroleum and service station.
They will be receiving a check for $150.
The third place winning design went to Veterinary Services with a fun barn yard scene.
Their pole is on the corner of 7th and Broadway across from the library.
Angie Worth and children Hayden, Hadley and Henley created this cute scene along with Susan Kunnemann and Mikaela O’Brien.
There are hay bales around a red barn door with pumpkins painted by the children to look like animals—a dog, cat, cow and pig.
This joint effort won them $100 in prize money.
“It was very difficult judging this year’s competition with so many great decorations,” said Tyler Pribbeno, Imperial Community Development Director.
The judges used a 15-point scale, and it was a very close race, he said.
The judges each had a tie for first place with the top six or seven light pole decorations finishing within only a few points of each other. It was hard to decide, he added.
“We couldn’t choose any honorable mentions because there were too many to name since the top five or six were separated by just a few points,” Pribbeno said.
Entries by individuals, families, businesses and organizations were assigned a pole to create a fall design which were judged last Friday by a committee of three.
“There weren’t quite as many entries as last year, but I was pleased with the turnout and how great the decorations were,” he said.
The pole decorations will remain up through November, but must be taken down by Monday, Nov. 30.