And the winners of the Holiday Decorating Contest are…

TOMS RIVER, NJ, December 8- Downtown Toms River (TRBID) has announced the winners of its second annual district- wide holiday decorating contests for residents and businesses.

According to the residential contest judges, while all of the homes that entered in the contest were beautiful, three were selected as the winners. First place was awarded to the Wagenhoffer Family of Ray Drive, second place awarded to the Phillip Family of Dayton Avenue and third place awarded to the Padham Family of Terrace Avenue. Participating residents were judged on originality, arrangement, theme and overall presentation. The judges that were faced with the difficult task of choosing the winners were Frank Capone, Chairman of Downtown Toms River, Gregory McGuckin, Dover Township Council President, and Joe Stevens, of WJRZ Oldies 100. First place receives a cash prize of $200, second place receives a cash prize of $100, and third place receives a cash prize of $50. All the winners will be presented an award certificate, in addition to a listing on Downtown Toms River website at www.downtwontomsriver.com.

Business contestants were judged in three categories and awarded three complimentary radio advertising spots on WJRZ, and an original holiday award trophy. These participants were also judged on originality, theme, appearance and overall presentation. The winners are as follows; Best Downtown business awarded to Bistro 44, a new restaurant on Washington Street. Best District business (not downtown or Rt. 37) awarded to Lafayette General Title Agency of Main Street and for the second year in a row, the Best Window Display awarded to H. Hargrove Gallery of Main Street. An honorable mention was also awarded to SoHo Toms River Fine Art Gallery for their creativity. This years’ panel of judges included Jeff Potter, Resident Director of Downtown Toms River, Becky Schoonmaker, representative of the Ocean County Library, Toms River Branch, Pat Block an Art teacher from TR High School South, Harry Bower Art teacher from TR High School East, and Melissa Fitzpatrick an Art teacher from TR High School North. Resident and business winners will be presented their awards at the Dover Township Council meeting on December 13, as well as being announced on WJRZ Oldies 100 and listed on the WJRZ and TRBID websites.

Residents and business owners in the central business district were encouraged to decorate their homes and businesses as well as enter the contest which was judged on December 7. “We wanted to do something special during the month of December that benefited the residents and the businesses within the district as well as our surrounding communities,” commented Frank Capone, Chairman of Downtown Toms River. “Participation of our residents and business owners in the decorating contest has enhanced the beauty of our business improvement district area, while encouraging folks from surrounding communities to visit, shop and dine while enjoying the holiday splendor,” adds Capone. A special thank you is extended to all the residents, businesses, and judges who participated in this years contest.

Downtown Toms River’s Design Committee has been executing a long-term plan to increase holiday decorations in the District over several years. This year they gave particular attention to window decorations within a block of the Main and Washington Street intersection. They were assisted in that project by Allison Miller and student volunteers from Ocean County College. “This is the perfect time of year to visit the business improvement district area. The Buildings and Grounds Departments of both Dover Township and Ocean County, have done a terrific job in decorating the Washington Street area,” commented Capone. “We are thankful to the organizations in our district that help support and join in the spirit of the holidays,” he added.

The Business Improvement District encompasses an area bordered by the Garden State Parkway to the West, Hadley Avenue to the East, the south side of Route 37 to the North, and the Toms River to the South. Visit www.downtowntomsriver.com for contest winners and other upcoming events.