The Festival of Lighthouses contest is in its 13th year and attracts a very dedicated group of competitors who submit their handmade seaside creations, which are on display throughout the hallways of the aquarium, said publicist Dave Sigworth.
"We have people who come in with their lighthouses and they tell us they're already thinking of what they are going to do for next year," Sigworth said with a laugh.
There is a nice incentive to create an eye-catching lighthouse: The grand prize winner receives $1,500. Second prize is $750, third is $375, fourth is $300, fifth is $225 and sixth is $150.
Sigworth said the voting is done by the aquarium's guests, who cast their ballots as they wander among the regular exhibits.
The contest began Nov. 22 and runs until Jan. 19. Winners will be announced at an evening reception on Jan. 22.
The contest is limited to 24 entrants. This year, 15 of the entries come from people who have returned from previous years. The lighthouses are displayed in separate areas of the aquarium.
"It seems to be like an addiction for some people," Sigworth said of the people with the urge to create and compete in the holiday contest.
Entries this year come from several residents in Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Bridgeport, but lighthouses also came in from Monroe, Newtown and Shelton in Connecticut and Yonkers, Katonah, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, White Plains and Hartsdale in New York.
Three lighthouses were entered as assigned classroom projects – two from the J.M. Wright Technical High School in Stamford and another from The Ursuline School in New Rochelle.
Lighthouses range in height from 3 to 6 feet and can be made of any material except animal remains, such as shells, Sigworth said. He said the aquarium wants to discourage interference with nature as much as possible.
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