Hamlet Decorating Contest Judging Scheduled for December 22

The Town of Hamlet has finalized the date for this year’s home decorating contest. Judging will take place Saturday, December 22 between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Those whose homes are decorated have a chance to win a cash prize. The first place winner will get $100, second place will receive $75, and the third place prize is $50.

A Hamlet Police officer will once again serve as judge. Town Marshal Clint Norem says a different officer typically handles the duties each year, since each of them looks for different things, when it comes to decorations. Plans for the contest were finalized during Wednesday’s town council meeting, which was scheduled to be followed by the town’s annual tree lighting ceremony.

In other business Wednesday, council members approved the town’s 2019 holiday schedule. Hamlet employees will get 12 paid holidays, as usual. Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts said she asked them if they would rather have the day after Christmas off instead of Christmas Eve, but in the end, it was decided to keep the schedule as it has been in the past.