edited by Nikola Tzenov
The Carroll County Arts Council has announced the winners of its 19th annual PEEPshow, a popular community art fundraiser that drew more than 20,000 in-person visitors and thousands of online voters.
Held March 27 through April 6 at the TownMall of Westminster, the event featured 197 entries — including 191 marshmallow displays and six video submissions — created by individuals, families, organizations and local businesses using more than 37,000 PEEPs®. Attendees cast more than 178,000 votes in person, with an additional 5,300 votes submitted online.
Proceeds from the annual fundraiser support arts programming in Carroll County, including scholarships, free initiatives such as the Free Summer Movies series beginning June 30, and other year-round programs.
“The Carroll County Arts Council is grateful to our decorators, without whose creativity and hard work our event would not be possible,”
Executive Director Stephen Strosnider said in a statement. “We are also so grateful to our visitors who came out and voted and shared their photos and thoughts about the event that helped to make it such a success.”
The top Audience Favorite award, determined by combined in-person and online voting, went to “Giant Leap for Peeps” by the Residents of Homewood Living Plum Creek, which received 5,634 votes and earned the Grand Prize.
The top five audience winners also received commemorative trophies crafted by local artist Thomas Sterner, along with prize packages and registration for next year’s event.
Other top Audience Favorite winners included:
Second place: “Frederick the Falcon” by Gerstell Academy Middle School Art Club (5,322 votes)
Third place: “Peeps del Desierto” by Lara King (4,894 votes)
Fourth place: “This Peep is Otterly Adorable” by Kelsey and Julia Taylor (4,636 votes)
Fifth place: “Shrek’s Outhouse” by South Carroll Stagelighters (3,901 votes)
The Top Video Award went to “Peepatouille” by Mikayla Britz, which received 1,412 votes.
Additional honors included multiple Sponsors’ Choice Awards presented by local organizations and businesses, as well as Artistic Excellence Awards recognizing standout creativity and craftsmanship. Online Sensation Awards highlighted entries that gained significant engagement across digital platforms.
In a separate contest, participants guessed the number of pom-poms in a jar, with Beth Pfeifer winning by guessing 8,499 — closest to the actual total of 8,474.
Organizers also reported results from the event’s annual “Fresh vs. Stale” PEEPs® fundraising debate, with “Fresh” narrowly winning after raising $35.36 compared with $24.51 for “Stale.”
The full exhibit is available to view online at MarshmallowPEEPshow.com.
