"Best Bench" competition

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce would like to introduce the “Best Bench” competition. Many of the benches that line our downtown streets are in dire need of repair and maintenance. The “Best Bench” competition is designed not only to improve the appearance and comfort of the benches, but to allow individuals, non-profit groups and businesses the opportunity to establish and maintain a presence in the downtown area.

In addition, the Chamber plans to use the bench competition as a means of gathering information about visitors to Odessa, which can be used to improve our promotion of community events. It also allows us to use the benches to encourage visitors to see more than just the Festplatz/Biergarten area.

This competition would be open to individuals, groups and businesses. Benches to be redone will be identified by Chamber members and assigned to competitors as they register. Competitors must register the bench when they pick it up, and must have the bench completed within 30 days of pickup. No more than five benches may be removed from the streets at any one time, and competitors that miss the 30 day deadline will be eliminated from the competition.

Three prizes will be awarded: The Chamber President’s award, Chamber Members’ award and People’s Choice Award. The winner of the People’s Choice award will receive $100 in Chamber Bucks, the Chamber President’s award winner will receive $50 in Chamber Bucks and the Chamber Members’ award winner will receive $25 in Chamber Bucks. All prizes will be awarded in the Biergarten on Sunday evening of Fest. “People’s Choice” ballots and ballot containers will be available in multiple locations during Deutschesfest.

To register for the competition, please call Lise Ott at (509) 988-0085. You will be asked to provide some basic information and a bench will be assigned to you. A complete list of rules may be seen on the Chamber website at odessachamber.net.