Art of the Avocado competition calling for entries

FALLBROOK – The Art of the Avocado competition, part of Fallbrook's annual Avocado Festival and sponsored by Fallbrook Propane Gas Company, is now "calling for entries." This is the 13th year of the popular contest.

Any artistic medium may be submitted – the only restriction is that an "avocado" must be easily identifiable in all pieces.

There are three categories: 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional and photography. The cash prizes for both the 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional is as follows: first place – $300.00, second place – $200.00, and third place – $100.00. The photography category is limited to the first 10 registered entries – one entry per artist – and features a cash prize of $100.00.

Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce will award a prize for their "Chamber Pick" and the winner of this award will be invited to design the 2019 Avocado Festival logo.

There are additional cash prizes for the following awards: "Honorary Mayor Award" selected by Michelle Verdugo, nutritionist and owner of The Organic Suite; "Avocado Chairman Award" selected by Gary Schimer and George Archibald; "Brandon Gallery Director's Award" selected by Noreen Ring; and the "Holy Guaca-Moly Award" selected by Gayle Bamber.

There are also two awards named in memory of two very special men: the "Merrill Everett Memorial Award" in honor of Merrill Everett, who died March 20, 2017, and the "George Bamber Memorial Award" in honor of George Bamber, who died Jan. 9, 2017. Everett was president of the Fallbrook Propane Gas Company and a promoter of local art. Bamber was the owner of Holy Guaca-Moly and the founder of the art competition.

Awards will be presented at a private reception.

Entries are to be delivered to the Brandon Gallery Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31. No entries will be accepted after March 31.

Entries in the Art of the Avocado competition will be on display at Brandon Gallery, 105 North Main Avenue, from April 4-28, including the day of the Avocado Festival, April 15. The "People's Choice Award" can be voted on during the month of April at Brandon Gallery and the day of the Avocado Festival until 4 p.m. The winner of the "People's Choice Award" will be notified that evening.

To register, contact Anita Kimzey at (714) 222-2462 (cell) or (760) 731-0277 (home) or via email: [email protected].

Rules and entry forms can be picked up at Fallbrook Propane Gas Company, the Chamber of Commerce office, and Brandon Gallery. Rules and entry forms can also be downloaded from the Chamber website: http://www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org.