This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
With the coronavirus still a local concern, the Library remains closed, but the PEEPs go on... The PEEPS Literary Diorama Contest, arguably the Longmont Public Library's most popular annual program, has survived the COVID-19 cancellations of other Library programs and is moving online this year. Dioramas will be submitted virtually through social media or email and voting will be conducted on Facebook.
The contest is usually held around Easter, when marshmallow PEEPS are most easily available, and was due to begin shortly after the COVID-19 Stay at Home Order was announced for Colorado. After initially cancelling the program, Library staff received feedback from patrons that they would really miss the PEEPS program this year. Staff convened and realized that PEEPS dioramas - those fun, little, patron-created vignettes depicting favorite literary scenes using marshmallow PEEPS as the figures - would be the perfect crafting project for people staying at home to avoid coronavirus spread. So, the PEEPS contest was postponed and reborn online.
Contestants began submitting photos of their dioramas on Thursday in three age categories: Adult (ages 14+); Tween (ages 9-13); and Kid (ages 8 & younger). Prizes will be awarded for the following:
* Best Adult Diorama
* Best Tween Diorama
* Best Kid Diorama
* Best Transformation of a PEEP
* Best Diorama Title
* Library's Choice (voted on by library staff)
* Peeple's Choice (determined by popular vote)
Dioramas must be constructed by the entrant out of a shoebox or other cardboard support, have a book theme, and contain at least one marshmallow PEEP. Participants can enter the contest by submitting photographs of their diorama, along with their name, diorama title, and age category to the Library through Facebook Messenger, direct message on Twitter, or by email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To vote for the Peeple's Choice award winner, the public can visit the Library's Facebook page, view the PEEPS Diorama Contest 2020 photo album between Friday, May 8 through Friday, May 15, and "Like" their favorite diorama. Alternately, voters can send the name of their favorite diorama to the above Library email.</mailto:[email protected]>
Everyone needs a little something fun to do during this uncertain time, and the PEEPS program always delivers plenty of smiles. Complete rules and entry forms can be found on the Library's website at http://bit.ly/LibPrograms.
