How NOT to Win the Tacky Yard Art Contest

{EDITOR'S NOTE: Click on most of the photos for a larger view.}
Our annual Tacky Yard Art Contest is the sort that some people would rather die than win. Tacky is one of those things that many of us have been brought up trying to avoid.

On the other hand there are many people with excellent taste who have entered the contest and been delighted to be declared a winner. That's because they know their tacky. And they know that the things that tend to be winners here aren't tacky at all. In fact, they are rather clever. Different, sometimes even a bit ugly - but not tacky. Like this giant dragon built of driftwood - and well in sight of the sea.

We don't like to give prizes to the truly tacky. Because too often what is truly tacky is also sad.

As my buddy and former Tacky Yard Art contest judge Felder Rushing says - and trust yard art. Take a peek at >his site and see! -"Tacky is when you shake you head in pity and say "poor dears - they just don't know any better."

Of course to be honest many of those on whose behalf we shake our heads don't care, either. They like their yard art and that is all that counts. And if they are happy, we should be content knowing that they have done what any reasonable human being should do - surround yourselves with the things you love, those that make you smile, those that bring back fond memories. And to hell with anyone who walks by shaking their heads with a pitying smile. It's YOUR yard! (And if the rest of you are shaking your heads in disbelief, check out Yard Art Odyssey where, taking courage (and cameras) in hand I knocked on the doors of and spoke to people whose yards we may be inclined to call tacky. I came away chastened - they were almost without exception also yards filled with love.)

But if that's your style, you probably won't win our contest. Because we tend to talk tacky with tongues firmly in cheek.

What we're really doing here every year is scouting out the fantastic - the things that make not only the owner but passersby smile - or stop to snap photos, do a double take and then when they get home tell the family about the wild thing they saw on a lawn on Main Street.

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