Shelley’s Flowers & Gifts in Waldoboro will host their “Community Open House/Designing with the Stars” floral design contest on Thursday, November 15th from 5-7 p.m. The public is invited to come and participate in this fun-filled event cheering on their favorite designer. Proceeds from this year’s DWTS will benefit the Waldo Theatre.

Some of the past charities and nonprofit organizations chosen by Shelley’s Flowers to raise money for have been Pope Memorial Animal Shelter, Waldoboro Food Pantry, Dustin Osier Scholarship fund, Knox County Homeless Coalition, CHIPS, and Autism Society of Maine.

Designing with the Stars features community members as floral design contestants. Designers will be given the same flowers and containers to create their own holiday masterpiece. The designer with the most votes will be declared the winner.

DWTS participants represent various sectors of the community. This year’s participants are Shanna Castner of the First N.A., Waldoboro; Penelope Crane of Waldoboro, Sarah McNeil of Odd Alewives Brewery, Waldoboro; Julie Knight of Julie’s Greenhouse, Round Pond; Marisa Murray of Sheepscot Physical Therapy, Waldoboro; Dawn Howlett of Bella Gia’s, Waldoboro; Kathleen Peabody of Jefferson Village School, Jefferson; and Cindy Wade of LincolnHealth, Newcastle.

The design-off will be held from 5-6 p.m. Friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers are invited to come and vote for their favorite design and designer! Contestants will be collecting votes before and during the competition. The public is encouraged to support their favorite designer ($1 per vote) early and often.

On the evening of the event, shoppers will enjoy viewing the designs, cheering on the designers, and sampling homemade refreshments and adult beverages. There will be a 20% shopper’s discount for all who attend.

So come get holiday season off to a great start and support the Waldo!