22nd Annual Business and Residential Holiday Decorating Contest

22nd Annual “Be-Deck Your Business”

Contest Criteria & Details
Brighten the streets of our central business district!

Downtown businesses are encouraged to decorate the exterior and/or windows of their businesses.

Businesses may be decorated anytime, but must be ready for judging on Friday, December 19th 2024.

Prizes:

Winner of each category receives:

  • Business name and photo on our website.
  • $100 Prize
  • A plaque for your business

Categories:

  • Best Window Display
  • Best Downtown Business (Center)
  • Best District Business

Judging:

Judges are from 100.1 WJRZ. Judging will commence on Friday, Dec 19, at 5pm.

Criteria used by judges are as follows:

  • Originality: Unique design and creative use of lights and decorations
  • Arrangement: Display and placement of decorations
  • Theme: Story line or scene
  • Overall: Overall presentation

Who is Eligible?
Businesses within the Downtown district. (The southside of Rt. 37 From the Toms River Shopping Center to Hooper/Hadley Avenue, down along the river to the Garden State Parkway)

How to Enter:

  • There is NO entry FEE! NO pre-registration!
  • Just have your business decorated by Dec. 19th @ 5:00 PM!
  • For more information call 732-341-8738

District residents are invited to decorate the exterior of their homes with lights, wreaths, scenery and other decorative ornaments.

Who is Eligible?

Home must be located within the boundaries of the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District (The southside of Rt. 37, from the Toms River Shopping Center to Hooper/Hadley Avenue, down along the river to the Garden State Parkway).

How to Enter:

There is no entry fee.  NO PRE- REGISTRATION!!!

Judging:

  • Judging begins at 5pm, Friday, December 19th.

Criteria used by judges are as follows:

  • Originality: Unique design and creative use of lights and decorations
  • Arrangement: Display and placement of decorations
  • Theme: Story line or scene
  • Overall: Overall presentation

Prizes:

  • 1st Place = $200 and a yard sign designating your home as the winner of the 2025 “Deck the Homes” Holiday Decorating contest.
  • 2nd Place = $100 and certificate
  • 3rd Place = $50 and certificate

Winners will receive a letter in their mailbox on Monday 12/22 stating that they won and how to receive their prize.

Any questions please call 732-341-8738

Wreath Walk Sign Up

3rd Annual Wreath Walk

Location

Washington & Main Street

When

December 2nd through December 31st.

People’s Choice Judging:

1st Place: $100.00

2nd Place: $75.00

3rd Place: $50.00

Wreath judging will be done by popular vote.  The public can only vote once.  Ballots are not valid without your name and email address.  Ballots will be available at participating businesses in Downtown Toms River.  Just look for the Wreath Walk Poster in their window.

Ballots can be dropped off at the ballot box located at the following location:

The Downtown Shops @ 53 Main , 53 Main St. Toms River

Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St.

Eligibility:

The contest is open to all ages and there is no entry fee.  Registration is required and must be received by 4:30pm Wednesday Nov. 26 , 2025.  You can register for the contest by clicking the link above.

Rules:

  • All entries must be family friendly.  Wreaths that reflect controversial social, religious, or political situations will not be accepted.  Downtown Toms River has the right to reject any and all wreaths they deem offensive or inappropriate.
  • Each group or individual may enter only one wreath.
  • Wreaths must remain on display outside from December 2nd through December 31st.
  • Wreaths will be subject to the weather for several weeks.  Materials must be firmly attached to the wreaths.  Use materials that will stand up to all weather conditions.
  • We recommend that you check on your wreaths periodically to make sure it remains in presentable condition.  The better it looks the more votes you will get!  If at any time a wreath deteriorates due to weather Downtown Toms River reserves the right to remove it.
  • All wreaths must be picked up by Friday, January 2nd.
  • Winners will be announced Wednesday, January 7th.

Check-In/Delivery of Wreath:

Entrants are responsible for bringing their fully assembled wreaths to the courtyard in front of Town Hall on Tuesday, December 2nd from 2pm-4pm.  A weatherproof sign with the name of your entry will be provided at check-in.  You will then get your location for placement.  Wreaths will be affixed to the light posts throughout Downtown.  All wreaths must face in toward the sidewalk and businesses and NOT face the street.

Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District is not responsible for any wreaths on display.