New competition for artists at show Freeholder John C. Bartlett is inviting all artists to compete in a new division at the Sept. 23-24 Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show. The first-place submission will be featured on the cover of next year's show program. Bartlett said, "This will be the first time the cover of the Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show program will use a work of art selected by a panel of judges instead of a show committee. Next year marks the silver anniversary of the show and will contribute to this being a special recognition." In the new competition, the artist must paint a Red-breasted Merganser, the bird of the year, in a South Jersey landscape and include a local landmark. In addition to receiving a first-place show plaque at the Sunday awards program and being featured on the cover of the program in 2007, the winning artist will retain the right to sell the artwork as the officially designated show print. At the artist's option, he or she will be given a location at the Pinelands Regional High School site during the show to sell prints of the award-winning art. The work must be submitted at the school by 10 a.m. Sept. 23. The 24th annual Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show is held in three locations: Tip Seaman County Park, Tuckerton Seaport and Pinelands Regional High School. More than 400 vendors and exhibits will participate and contests, including the official New Jersey Duck Calling contest, span the two days. The sites are connected by a continuous shuttle service. Bartlett said, "This premiere event, sponsored by our county Parks and Recreation Department, showcases the waterfowling heritage of Ocean County. "By sponsoring the competitions for these crafts and traditional art forms, we help keep them alive. We will continue our policy of free admission, parking, shuttles, live entertainment and programs to encourage as many people as possible, and particularly our new residents and youngsters, to learn about these activities which played a significant role in the history of Ocean County," Bartlett said. For more information about the art competition or the decoy show, visit the Web site www.oceancountyparks.org or call (609) 971-3085.