Ronee Kruger, left, and Karen Jensen put together the first place Lavender Market entry. (Johnson Publications photo)
Second place in the contest went to Chase County Courthouse. Some of those working on the entry were, from left, Leigh Grotsky, Dotty Bartels, Courtney Ingold and Cindy Schoenberger. Others helping were Diane Mathews (who designed it), Billie Muehlenkamp, Becky Bernard, Christy Stinnette, Debbie Clark, Melissa Cochran and Commissioner Jacci Brown. (Johnson Publications photo)
The VFW Post 4688 and auxiliary earned third place. Those putting together the entry included, from left, Johnny Miller, Sue Moore and Roxane Miller. (Johnson Publications photo)
Pole winners get creative with themes
Creativity was on display in a new city of Imperial-sponsored contest this fall.
The event challenged participants in decorating one of the light poles lining Imperial’s main street.
Thirty individuals or groups took up the challenge to decorate a pole along Broadway Street, and winners were announced on Friday.
First place prize went to owner Ronee Kruger and her crew at Lavender Market. Their Mary Poppins-themed entry, complete with an umbrella blowing in the wind, sits at the southeast corner of 10th and Broadway Streets.
Lavender Market won the $250 first place cash prize.
Second place went to the Chase County Courthouse entry for its Chase County Longhorn decorated pole in the middle of the west block between 9th and 10th Streets.
A crew of 10 employees and a commissioner actually decorated three poles on the block in front of the courthouse. But judges picked the Longhorn-themed one for second place and the $150 cash prize.
Third went to the VFW Post 4688 and auxiliary with their entry in front of Subway at 430 Broadway. It featured a pair of veterans in a patriotic display.
The VFW earned the $100 third place prize.
The new contest was suggested by Jason Tuller, the city’s community development director, after hearing about it from a local resident.
He was very pleased with the response and indicated the city plans to sponsor it again next year.
The $250 first place prize came from an anonymous donor.
Veterinary Services of Imperial added the additional funds so a second and third could be awarded, Tuller said.