Sotheby realtors Joan Sather (left) and Susan Montgomery sponsor the Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Home Decorating Contest.
Display your patriotism, decorating prowess or just have fun by entering the annual 4th of July Home Decorating Contest sponsored by local realtors Joan Sather and Susan Montgomery.
After you’ve decorated your home, go to: Palisades4th.com and click on the home contest and fill out a simple form. Take a photo and post it on the Facebook page or via Instagram feed #Palisades4thHomeContest or email it to homecontest@palisades4th.com.
All entries should be posted by July 2 to be included for initial judging. On July 3, Sather, Montgomery, Palisades Honorary Mayor Eugene Levy and last year’s Grand Place Winners Bill and Cindy Simon will make onsite visits for the final judging.
On at least two occasions last year, a home was nominated by neighbors, which is also permitted.
Sather, a longtime Palisadian, has sponsored the contest for the past decade. “My favorite part of the contest is our judging ritual on July 3,” she said. “We have had Jake Steinfeld, Kevin Nealon, Janice and Billy Crystal. Terrific judges, all. And funny!
“As we drive from house to house in our golf carts, we discuss what we like about each decorated home,” Sather said, noting that one year the winner was “decorated by the young grandson who happened to be visiting his grandparents.”
Most of the decorations on this winner house were homemade. Initially the family wasn’t going to enter, but they did and the judges loved the homespun approach.
In 2018, Sather convinced Montgomery to join her in sponsoring the contest.
“Joan and I met years ago at the office on Sunset Boulevard,” Montgomery said. “We collaborate on various real estate transactions and cover for each other. It’s worked out beautifully.”