Where's Your Chair, Catonsville?

There's a little friendly competition going on in Catonsville as businesses, nonprofits and residents get their chairs ready for the annual Fourth of July parade.

Expanding on the tradition of residents leaving chairs out weeks in advance to mark their spot along Frederick Road, the Catonsville Fourth of July committee is sponsoring a chair decorating contest.

For a $25 entry fee, decorated chairs can be entered in the contest. After the registration deadline ends, people can vote on the site for their favorite chair. The best chair wins cash prizes, a float in the parade and preferred seating at the fireworks.

Catonsville businesses are getting into the act, coming up with various themes that reflect their companies.

Catonsville Patch is not giving the full descriptions or reproducing complete images of the chairs to keep the competition fair.

At Just In 4 U, a consignment shop off of Edmondson Avenue, owner Verna Cassidy and her niece Brie Holt have a patriotic theme that also involves lipstick.

Cassidy has been going to the parade with her family for years, so she understands the tradition.

"We usually go anywhere we can find a space along the parade route," she said. "Although we've never set up early to mark our space."

Holt said she worked a total of 23 hours over several days to finish the chair.

Over at , a mouth theme is taking place, which came after a group of employees brainstormed ideas together. They started construction on Sunday.

Baylin, who is also on the parade committee, said it was a no-brainer for his business to participate.

"What better way to have a creative charity event that brings it all together?" he asked.

At Catonsville Hair Company, stylists are going with a hair theme but are also adding some touches that make the chair unique to the hair salon.

"We have to do some hair-related things but we wanted to make it special," said Becky Rawson, one of the stylists.

The deadline for the contest is June 9 and to find out more information, go to the contest site.