Contests
Embrace your competitive side.
Decorating Contest
Residences and businesses in Centerville and Washington Township, decorate your homes and office buildings in a patriotic manner for the 2025 Americana Decorating Contest!
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Americana draws over 75,000 people to Centerville. This year we are celebrating 54 years and the festival will be bigger and better than ever. We invite all homes and businesses in the Centerville and Washington Township community to decorate their outside space with the theme:
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​“Building Today's Stars into a Brighter Tomorrow.”
Apply to compete by filling out the form below!
Applications must be submitted by June 28. Judging will be done on July 1st. Plaques will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for business and residential on July 2nd.
For more information call Melinda Collins (937) 750 9919.
Scholarship - Essay Contest
The Americana Festival is recognizing and rewarding students for their excellence! Learn more about our Scholarship programs for the Middle School, High School, and College, and Community Service Activity form.
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Application deadline: 10:00 am, Saturday, April 26th, 2025
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Our awards program includes framed certificates to commemorate your accomplishments.
Here's a breakdown of our awards:
College Division:
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First Place: $1,600 Scholarship
High School Division:
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First Place: $1,600 Kettering-Centerville Kiwanis Scholarship
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Second Place: $1,000 Scholarship
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Third Place: $800 Scholarship
Middle School Division:
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Sixth Grade: $600 Scholarship
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Seventh Grade: $600 Scholarship
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Eighth Grade: $600 Scholarship
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Joe Bowlus Community Service Award (Available only to High School & College students): The recipient of the Joe Bowlus Community Service Award is selected from among High School and College Essay Contest applicants by a select committee appointed by the Americana Festival President. This award is based upon the quality and quantity of the applicant’s service to his or her community. The recipient will receive an $800 Scholarship.
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Please note that all scholarships are administered by Americana Festival, Inc.We're excited to celebrate your achievements and support your educational journey!
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2025 Application Documents:
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Contest Rules
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Failure to write on the official topic will result in disqualification.
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Each entrant must use the application page as the first page of the entry.
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Essay title must be listed at the top right side margin of each typed essay entry page. The totalnumber of words in your essay must be typed at the bottom of the last page of your entry.
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Essays must be typed and double-spaced. (Deduction of 5 points)
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Essays must contain a minimum of 500 words to 550 words maximum for High School and Collegeand a minimum of 250 words to 265 words maximum for Middle School. Every word of the essay is counted. This does not include the bibliography or footnotes identifying non-original material. (Deduction of 5 points for each 25 words over and under the limits specified.)
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No reference can be made in the essay that specifically identifies the contestant. This does notinclude nationality. (Deduction 5 points or fraction based on degree of identification)
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Each page of the essay must be numbered starting with the first page of the essay, not the application page. The numbers must be centered at the bottom of each page.
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All application packets must be submitted to The Americana Festival Scholarship Committee via email at americanascholarship@gmail.com. Deliveries to the Americana office will not be accepted this year without prior approval.