Entry Period: Submit your nutcracker entry between June 21, 2021 and July 16. 2021.
Eligibility: The contest is open to all legal residents of the 50 United States, District of Columbia, and Canada. Any age may enter the competition!
How To Enter: Sign the bottom of your completed nutcracker prototype and deliver to Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker Shoppe, 155 N. 4th Street, Steubenville, OH 43952. Nutcrackers can be shipped to the competition site at the artist's expense, but cannot be repaired by staff if they are damaged in shipping and WILL NOT be shipped back at the end of the competition.
- Fill out the Nutcracker Competition Entry Form, and include it with your nutcracker prototype entry. Forms can be found here.
- Each participant can only enter ONE nutcracker design prototype. There are no fees to enter this competition
Additional Requirements: Finished nutcracker prototypes must be 3-dimensional (i.e. no flat nutcrackers) and between 8"-12" tall. The blank nutcracker base you choose to work with can be handmade or purchased (blank nutcracker kits are available at Drosselmeyer's Nutcracker Shoppe in downtown Steubenville or online here).
Judging, Notification, and Prizes: All qualifying nutcracker prototype entries will be placed on display at Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker Shoppe (155 N. 4th Street, Steubenville OH, 43952) for public viewing from July 26, 2021, through July 31, 2021.
The GRAND PRIZE: The nutcracker prototypes will be judged by the Master Carver for the Steubenville Nutcracker Village, and of ALL entries, only ONE will be chosen to be transformed into a life-size nutcracker for the 2021 Christmas Season. The winning artist will be notified by the end of day July 25, 2021. The life-size rendition of the winning nutcracker will be created and put up for “adoption” to be sponsored along with all the other nutcrackers in the Steubenville Nutcracker Village collection. The Master Carver and artists retain the right to adapt the winning nutcracker design if necessary. The winning artist will be recognized on signage by the life-size nutcracker.
First Place Awards by Age: The Nutcracker Artist Committee will award a First Place prize to each of the following categories. Prizes could include giftcards, t-shirts, unique nutcrackers, etc, depending on the age range. Each winning artist will be notified by the end of day July 25th, 2021.
Grade School: Under 10 Years Old
Middle School: 10-14 Years Old
High School: 15-18 Years Old
Adults 18+
People’s Choice Award: This award will go to the nutcracker design receiving the most votes while the nutcrackers are displayed during the week of July 26-July 31, 2021. Nutcracker prototypes that have already received prizes will not be eligible for this award. The winning artist will be notified by the end of day August 3, 2021. Prizes could include gift cards, t-shirts, unique nutcrackers, etc.
