Roundhouse Aquarium hosts annual holiday decorating contest

Manhattan Beach's Roundhouse aquarium encourages residents to participate in the annual "Light Up The Beach Cities" decorating contest. After votes were collected, the best overall winner was chosen (above). Photo Courtesy of roundhouseaquarium.org

By Emily von Buttlar

Features Editor

Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach hosts the annual “Light Up The Beach Cities” decorating contest to continue the traditional holiday festivities, while still following COVID-19 safety guidelines.

This year, the annual ‘Light Up The Beach Cities’ contest was hosted by the nonprofit Oceanographic Teaching Stations Inc. (OTS), which manages and operates the Roundhouse Aquarium. With the help of Grace Adams, OTS executive director, participants voted and competed from the safety of their homes. Edison International also helped out by sponsoring the event, which will provide funding for the programs that care for the oceans, beaches and tidelands.

“We certainly hope to welcome everyone back to the Roundhouse once restrictions are lifted, but until then we are ready to continue serving students and our community through our distance learning initiatives,” Adams said.

The categories for this year included Magical Winterland, Holiday Whimsy, Let It Sparkle, Jingle Jangle Wheels, Merry and Bright Business, and Holly Jolly Residence, for which each winner will be given a prize. According to Adams, the organizers of the contest were thrilled that entries came from Encino, Long Beach, Lakewood and other cities in the larger Los Angeles area.

“We need the community’s help to ensure that programs that inspire people of all ages to care for the oceans, tidelands and beaches continue,” Adams said.

All residents and businesses were allowed to join with a $30 fee for a donation fund that will be used to aid the Roundhouse Aquarium in their education programs for marine science. All residents also had the opportunity to vote with a $10 fee online from Dec. 13 to the Dec. 19. The winners of each category were announced on Dec. 21. In the end, the Roundhouse Aquarium raised $4,000 for its various classes and programs.

“With all the challenges we all faced in 2020, people were happy to participate in a positive endeavor that allowed them to celebrate the holiday while supporting a good cause,” Adams said. “Participants are telling us they can’t wait to do it again next year.”