The large working lighthouses are among 22 creative entries in the holiday display, which will be open daily from Nov. 16 through Jan. 20, 2014.
Visitors can follow these homemade beacons through the galleries and then cast a vote for their favorite. The lighthouse with the most votes wins $1,500.
“Snowbird” by Marilyn Militscher of Hartsdale is an artsy floral bouquet, full of plants, birds, birdhouses and a lighthouse with a keeper’s house too.
“The best gifts are those gifts that are unexpected yet show great thought,”?said Judith Bacal, the Aquarium’s director of exhibits, in a statement. “The ‘Lighthouse Contest’ is like a gift for us each year, because the designs are always so unexpected and the finished works show such thought and craftsmanship.”
Other entries this year include a lighthouse made from Hostess snack cakes, a gingerbread lighthouse, one made of tin, one made of green plastic soda bottles and a World Series lighthouse set in a baseball stadium.
Besides the $1,500 top award, other prizes are $750 for second place; $375 for third; $300 for fourth; $225 for fifth; and $150 for sixth. Winners will be announced at an evening reception on Jan. 23.
The 2013 “Festival of Lighthouses Contest” is free with Aquarium general admission, which is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for youths (13-17) and $12.95 for seniors 65 and over and children ages 3-12.
The Aquarium is at 10 N. Water St., Norwalk.
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