Tablescape competition Founder’s Day event

Special to Wesson News

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Wesson American Legion Auxiliary (WALA) Unit #79 is hosting a unique tablescaping competition along with a fundraising silent auction as part of the town’s annual Founder’s Day celebration on May 2.

The “Heart of the Table” event and auction will be at the historic Old School Community Center at 1047 Eighth Street, with the entry deadline April 22, and late entries accepted no later than April 29 if space allows. Guests can visit the exhibit of competing tablescapes for $1.00 and vote for a People’s Choice Award.

WALA is inviting individuals, organizations, businesses and community groups to participate in the unique competition, which will have three divisions:

• America the Beautiful

• Open formal

• Holidays

“The Heart of the Table” celebrates creativity, hospitality and service, and participants are encouraged to design with intention, welcome guests warmly and help create an inspiring experience that supports veterans, military families and community.

Regular competition entry fees for each division are $60, with late fees, $75 per division. Multiple fees must be paid for entries in more than one division.

A tablescape is the complete arrangement of items on a table, including place settings, centerpieces, linens, florals, candles (battery-operated preferred) and miniature props composed to convey a mood, theme or meal. All the items used -- decorative accents, materials and other elements -- help bring the table to life. Think of it as a mini set: every object should support the story the designer wants the judges (and viewers) to read.

WALA’s competition will feature 60-inch round tables to which designers must confine their creations. The designer-competition entrants must include a title card with their table themes and proposed menus. Their tables must be set for at least four places with the appropriate serving ware for at least one of the meal’s courses. Competitors may incorporate items intended for the silent auction into their tablescapes with prior approval and providing a bid sheet that will be clearly visible for the auction.

Approved competitors based on their registrations prior to the event deadline will receive designated setup time prior to the event opening when judges begin evaluating tables. All tables must be completed by the deadline. Themes must be in harmony with the Founder’s Day event.

Judges will select winning tablescapes based on creativity and originality, overall presentation, theme and storytelling, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Cash prizes still to be determined will be presented for first, second and third places selected by judges, and a cash People’s Choice Award decided by guest voting will also be awarded.