Patriotic home decorating contest announced for America’s 250th

City of Merrill residents are being invited to decorate their homes, porches, and yards in red, white, and blue this summer for a community decorating contest marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Residents, businesses, and neighborhoods can all take part, competing for community recognition and prizes. Organizers said the goal is to turn the city into a community-wide patriotic showcase.
“As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, I’m hoping the residents of Merrill will join me in decorating their homes in red, white, and blue,” Merrill Mayor Steve Hass said. “Let’s make Merrill shine with patriotic pride as we celebrate this historic milestone together.”
The contest will include a community decorating tour map, allowing families to take a self-guided patriotic driving tour of participating homes around Merrill. Photos of decorated homes will also be posted in a special Facebook album, where the community can vote for its favorites.
Neighbors who decorate together can compete as a group for the Neighborhood Spirit Award, open to entire blocks or neighborhoods.

Participants must sign up by Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at tinyurl.com/Merrill250, the same way residents register for the Christmas Tour of Lights. Decorating must be completed by Friday, Aug. 28.
Community viewing and voting will run from Aug. 29 through Sept. 5. Decorations will be judged ahead of Labor Day weekend, and winners will be announced at the VFW stand during the Labor Day Car Show at the Merrill Fairgrounds on Monday, Sept. 7.
“Basically, we thought about a way to bring red, white, and blue into town for a little while,” said Hallie Savall, who handles social media for the City of Merrill. “Although the 250th is over on the Fourth [of July], we don’t have a lot going on that day, but we do for Labor Day, so we thought to build it around then. We encourage everyone in the city limits to participate in the contest, homes and businesses alike. We will have a map that people can use to go look at the homes and then they will be able to judge on Facebook with photos in an album specifically for the contest. ... It’s a great way to show patriotism in the town even just for a couple weeks.”