Before and after pictures of the first place single-family home in the 2023 Home Beautification Contest. The Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation and the Evening Sun have begun the 2024 Home Beautification Contest, and hope to reward four single-family and two multi-family homeowners for making exterior improvements to their properties. (Submitted photos)

NORWICH — The Evening Sun and the Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation are accepting entries for the 2024 Home Beautification Contest. The contest aims to revitalize the City of Norwich by identifying, encouraging, and rewarding property owners for making improvements on their homes.

Entries are judged based on exterior improvements made to the home, including siding, roofing, windows, shutters, landscaping, fencing, walkways, painting, and more. Applicants must attain measurable improvements to their property as determined by contest sponsors.

Both single- and multi-family homes are eligible to enter the contest. Single-family entries must be owner occupied, multi-family homes must have two to four family units, and all entries must be located within the City of Norwich.

Four winners will be selected for the single-family category, with the first place winner taking home $5,000. Second place wins $3,000, third place wins $2,000, and fourth place wins $1,000.

In the multi-family category, two winners will be selected, with first place winning $5,000 and second place receiving $4,000.

Improvements must have been made after March 1, 2024 and be completed before October 31, 2024. The deadline to enter is November 15, 2024.

Entry forms can be found in print and digital copies of the Evening Sun. To enter the 2024 Home Beautification Contest, a completed entry form, before and after pictures of the property, and a written statement describing improvements must be mailed to Home Beautification Contest, ℅ The Evening Sun, 29 Lackawanna Avenue, Norwich, NY 13815 or emailed to contest@evesun.com.

The goal of the contest is to improve the quality of life in the City of Norwich and reward those in the community who are actively investing in home improvements for families and young professionals.

Judges will look at exterior improvements only, with an emphasis on those properties undergoing the most significant exterior renovations which improve not only the residence, but positively impact the neighborhood as well.

The Home Beautification Contest is modeled after the original contest promoted by Smith Ford Norwich in the 80s and 90s, and began in 2019. The contest has become an annual tradition supported by community sponsors working in partnership with The Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation and The Evening Sun.

To date, the Home Beautification Contest has awarded cash prizes to 28 homeowners totaling $77,600.

The Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation is a local not for profit with a mission to improve the quality of life in the City of Norwich, primarily through seeking opportunities to improve and preserve housing and other property development opportunities.

Full contest rules are as follows:

1. All single family entries must be owner occupied.

2. Property must be located within the City of Norwich.

3. Entries will be judged by exterior improvements to residences.

4. Entrants must complete the entry form and provide before and after pictures.

5. Improvements must have started after March 1, 2024 and be completed by October 31, 2024. Deadline for entry is November 15, 2024.

6. Employees of The Evening Sun and directors of the Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. are not eligible.

7. All decisions by contest judges are final.

8. The Evening Sun has the right to publish any or all contest pictures.

9. All applications must submit a written statement of improvements and provide executed contracts when appropriate.

10. Mail your entry form and pictures to: Home Beautification Contest, ℅ The Evening Sun, 29 Lackawanna Avenue, Norwich, NY 13815 OR email to contest@evesun.com.