POMEROY — Again this year as a part of the Christmas celebration, the Pomeroy Merchants Association will be staging three contests — one for candies on Dec. 5, one for cookies on Dec. 12, and another for crafts or other homemade creations on Dec. 19.

Sponsoring the contests will be Peoples Bank in Pomeroy, candies; Ohio Valley Bank at 700 West Main St. (Save-A-Lot), cookies; and Farmers Bank, homemade crafts or creations of any kind.

In all three contests a cash prize of $50 will go to the first place winner. The second place winner will also receive a prize to be determined by the bank hosting the contest.

In the candy and cookie contests, entries of six pieces are to be submitted on paper plates with the name, address and phone number of the person entering written on the bottom and a copy of the recipe attached.

As for the candy-making contest, those entering the contest are to take their entries to Peoples Bank in Pomeroy on Dec. 5 between 9 a.m. and noon at which time the judging will take place.

Those entering the cookie contest are to take their entries of six pieces to the Ohio Valley Bank on Dec. 12 anytime from 9 a.m. to noon when the judging will begin.

In the homemade crafts, toys or other creative items, entries can be taken to Farmers Bank any time the week before judging where they will be displayed and then judged on Dec. 19 after the bank closes at noon.

The winners in all three contests will be notified by telephone immediately after being selected.

Residents are encouraged to participate in the contests. So if your candies and cookies are yummy and your homemade crafts and other creations are beautiful or unusual, the Pomeroy Merchants Association invites you to take part in this holiday event.