Past Home Beautification Contest first place winners: 2023 single-family category winner 12 Hale Street, 2023 multi-family category winner 16 Sheldon Street, 2022 single-family category winner 63 Silver Street, and 2022 multi-family category winner 58 Henry Street. (Submitted photos)

NORWICH — The Evening Sun and the Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation are accepting applications for the 2024 Home Beautification Contest until November 15. The contest aims to revitalize the City of Norwich by identifying, encouraging, and rewarding property owners for making improvements on their homes.

The contest consists of two categories: single-family, owner occupied homes and multi-family homes that contain two to four family units. All entries must be located within the City of Norwich.

Submitted homes will be judged on exterior improvements only, made between March 1, 2024 and October 31, 2024. These improvements can include painting and siding, walkways, fencing, roofing, windows, shutters, landscaping, and more.

Judges will also be looking for which properties underwent the most significant renovations that improve not just the residence, but positively impact the neighborhood as well.

Winners in each category will receive cash prizes. For the single-family category, the first place winner will take home $5,000, the second place winner will receive $3,000, third place will win $2,000, and fourth place wins $1,000.

In the multi-family category, the first place winner will receive $5,000 and the second place winner will receive $4,000.

Entry forms can be found in print and digital copies of the Evening Sun, and linked on the home page of EveSun.com. 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.


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.