The Atlantic Area Chamber’s Annual Scrooge Contest, sponsored by Hockenberry Family Care and Atlantic News Telegraph, takes place Nov. 1st through the 29th. Eleanor Hoover organized the contest beginning in 2002 just one year after the inaugural Lighted Parade. After her passing, her daughters stepped in to keep it a family tradition. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “Eleanor had such a passion for helping others and the food pantry so I was thrilled when her daughters reached out to ask if they could take the reins this year.”

Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food Pantry. The 2019 candidates include: Lt. Devin Hogue, Atlantic Police Department; April Zarbano, Fireside Lounge; Michael Magers, White Knuckle Driving School/Iowa DOT, and Team Hoover: Lori Christianson, Jackie Sampson and Billie Hoover. Smith says “Candidates can choose any method they want in collecting their points. In the past, candidates have hosted soup suppers and put pictures and boxes in local businesses to collect food donations.”

Contestants are responsible for collecting and submitting their points to the Chamber by November 29th, at noon. Cash donations are worth one point on the dollar and two non-perishable items earn the contestants one point. Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop off locations. For more information please call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. The contestant with the most points will be named “Scrooge,” and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. The winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade 6-p.m. December 7th, in Downtown Atlantic.

Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013, Mark McNees 2014, Ted Robinson 2015, Jon Johnson 2016, Rob Stamp 2017 and Rob & Sonya Clausen 2018.

Don’t forget to pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retail businesses, like the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Twitter to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.com. You can also capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page, or on Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017.