Artists living and working in the Niagara Region have the opportunity to enter this year’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro Box Beautification Competition.

This is the fourth year of the competition, organized by the Town of NOTL, the town’s Communities in Bloom committee, NOTL Hydro and the NOTL Pumphouse Arts Centre.

The end result will recognize local artists and enhance three hydro boxes with their art. 

All entries will be displayed at the Pumphouse from Aug. 5 to Oct. 16, with the final decisions and announcements being made for the three hydro boxes on Sept. 15. 

All three of the winning submissions for this year will also be given a $500 reward from NOTL Hydro. 

This year’s theme “is similar to previous years, landmarks and nature, but this year we are giving preference to entries that pay homage to the military history of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” said Aimee Medina, marketing co-ordinator for the Pumphouse. 

The three hydro boxes that were chosen for this event are located at the Royal Canadain Legion Branch 124, in front of the Pumphouse at Fort George and in front of the NOTL Golf Club.

New to the competition this year is a people’s choice award, Medina said.

“(The) third entry will be selected by the public who visits the exhibit.” 

”This is such a wonderful initiative to brighten up the community,” said Lord Mayor Betty Disero, in a media release.

“Our town is known for arts and culture and this competition is a great opportunity for local artists to submit their creative designs. I always look forward to seeing the unique beautification of local hydro boxes.”

For artists looking to enter this contest, all submissions are due on July 18. The entry forms can be found at pumphouseart.online/hydrobox.