Shelton Man's Lighthouse Design in the Running

A Shelton man's lighthouse design is one of 22 in the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium's 12th annual “Festival of Lighthouses" contest.

Charlie Kestler’s “Holiday Cove” and the other 22 lighthouses in the holiday display will be open daily through Jan. 20, 2014.

According to the aquarium, "His entry this year is a large circular lighthouse covered with fabric containing images of real lighthouses, as well as decorative images of sea stars and shells. Colorful Christmas lights, strung up the sides, lead to a rotating light within a double-railing crown. Down next to the base sits a lighthouse keeper’s house, decorated with wreaths for the holidays – and it’s all inside a white picket fence lined with pine roping and bows."

The exhibit is free with Aquarium admission. Visitors can follow these homemade beacons through the galleries and then cast a vote for their favorite.  The lighthouse with the most votes wins $1,500. 

"The lighthouses were built by local artists looking for a challenge, by friends and families who wanted to work together on a fun project, and by students fulfilling an assignment," according to an aquarium spokesman.

“The best gifts are those gifts that are unexpected yet show great thought,” said Judith Bacal, the Aquarium’s director of exhibits. “The ‘Lighthouse Contest’ is like a gift for us each year, because the designs are always so unexpected and the finished works show such thought and craftsmanship.” 

Rules are kept to a minimum to allow for maximum creativity. Lighthouses must be 3 to 6 feet tall and have a working light, and may not include animal remains (such as shells).  Beyond that, it’s up to the creators’ imaginations.

Kestler has competed several previous times in the holiday contest at the Connecticut family attraction.

Entries are coming from residents of cities close to the Aquarium – Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport – but also from as far as Hartsdale and Wappingers Falls in New York.

Besides the $1,500 top award, other prizes are: $750 for second place, $375 for third; $300 for fourth; $225 for fifth; and $150 for sixth. Winners will be announced at an evening reception on Jan. 23.

The 2013 “Festival of Lighthouses Contest” is free with Maritime Aquarium general admission, which is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for youths (13-17) & seniors (65+), and $12.95 for children ages 3-12. 

For more details about Maritime Aquarium exhibits, IMAX movies and programs, call (203) 852-0700 or go online to www.maritimeaquarium.org.