🎄 Official Rules

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1. Eligibility

The contest is open to local businesses, community groups, families, and individuals. Participants of all ages are welcome; entrants under 18 need to participate with a parent or guardian.

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2. Registration

• Participants must sign up in advance to reserve a tree by clicking the register today link and completing the necessary information and payment.

• The entry fee is $25 per tree, payable upon registration.

• The entry fee and participant are responsible for the cost of the tree (real or artificial) and all decorations.

• Limited number of rental trees are available for an additional fee. 

• Registration is limited and spots are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 

3. Tree Setup & Decorating

• Trees may be set up in the designated Market area beginning at 1:00 PM on event day.

• All decorating must be completed before 3:15pm.

• All Trees must have lights.

• Participants provide their own tree, lights, decorations, and any stand or base needed to keep the tree stable and upright.

• Decorations must be securely fastened to withstand outdoor conditions, including wind.

 

4. Content Guidelines

• All trees and decorations must be family-friendly and appropriate for a public, all-ages audience.

• Decorations may not include offensive, or discriminatory.

• The Durham German Market and Wildly Inclusive Learning Collective reserves the right to remove or require modification of any tree or decoration deemed unsafe, inappropriate, or out of keeping with the spirit of the event.

 

5. Voting

• Market attendees vote virtually for their favorite decorated tree during the event. 

• Winners are determined by the highest number of votes received.

 

6. Prizes

• Prizes will be awarded to the top three (3) trees as determined by attendee voting.

• All 3 winners will receive free entry in to the Tee Contest in the 2027 market. 

• Winners will be announced December 6 on the Durham German Market Facebook page.

• All participating groups will be recognized in the Durham German Market's social media.

 

7. Breakdown & Removal

• Breakdown begins at 8:30 PM on event night and must be completed by 9:30 PM.

• Participants are responsible for removing their tree and all decorations and for leaving their space clean.

• Any items left behind after 9:30 PM may be disposed of at the organizer's discretion and participants will be fined $150 for removal and will be prohibited from participating in any other events hosted by Wildly Inclusive Learning Collective.

 

8. Liability

• Participants are responsible for their own trees, lights, and decorations. The Durham German Market and Wildly Inclusive Learning Collective are not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or weather-affected items.

• By entering, participants agree to allow the Durham German Market to photograph their tree and use those images in event advertising, social media, and promotional materials.

• The contest is held outdoors and will proceed as scheduled; in the event of severe weather affecting the Market, organizers will communicate any changes to registered participants.

 

9. Refunds, Cancellations, & No Show

• All Registrations are final. There will be no refunds given.

• Late cancellations and no shows may be prohibited from participating in other events held by Wildly Inclusive Learning Collective. 

 

10. Agreement By registering, participants agree to abide by these rules and the decisions of the Durham German Market organizers, which are final.