Ridgefield Garden Club's Holiday Door Decorating Contest

A long, long time ago, 1937 to be exact, the members of The Ridgefield Garden Club sponsored the first holiday doorway-decorating contest.

Homeowners and local businesses participated, making the town of Ridgefield that much more enchanting during the month of December. It was the Conservation Committee of the garden club that set the rules. Decorators were encouraged to use natural plant materials, such as fruits and vegetables, berries, seed pods, pines cones, pine boughs, balsam, and spruce and were asked to protect a number of plants such as Holly, Laurel, Black Alder and other flora at risk. Recognition and prizes were reported in The Ridgefield Press and the tradition continued until 1969.

Fast-forward to today and The Ridgefield Garden Club is inviting the town to decorate their doorways for the holidays. There will be two categories, private homes and businesses. The club is encouraging participants once again to use natural materials whenever possible. Participants are asked not to use any invasive plants, such as Bittersweet or Barberry.  

Points to consider when planning your doorway are scale, use of materials, originality and suitability. Decorators can fill out an entry form on the garden club’s website, or pick one up at the Chamber of Commerce on Bailey Ave.

The Ridgefield Garden Club is limiting the entries to 50 homes and 40 businesses. The entries for businesses must be in by December 1^st and judging will be held for businesses on December 3rd & 4th with the winner announced at the Holiday Stroll on December 5^th.

Entries for homeowners must be submitted by December 10^th and judging for decorated homes will take place December 17^th through the 18^th during day light hours. 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place prizes will be awarded.

Winners will be recognized in The Ridgefield Press, HamletHub and The Ridgefield Patch.

For further information and questions call Tamera Galvin at 203 894-9119.