Poster Contest for Fourth-Graders

Whether it's the Turtle Back Zoo, cherry blossoms at Branch Brook Park, or the statue of Abraham Lincoln outside the county's historic courthouse, fourth-graders know what they like about Essex County.

For the seventh year in a row, Essex County Clerk Christopher J. Durkin is inviting fourth-graders to create a poster about the county for its annual "My Essex County" poster contest.

The winning entries will be displayed at the Hall of Records during the month of May and will be put into a county-wide calendar. In the past, Durkin has received 1,000 entries from 60 different schools for the contest

“When students express themselves through art in the ‘My Essex County’ poster contest they become more aware of our history and beauty that surrounds us and in turn become more invested in our future,” Durkin said.

Besides the student posters, the calendar includes important information, such as election deadlines, holidays, places of interest in the county and transportation.

The contest is open to fourth-grade students in public and private school throughout Essex County. In years past, winners have lived in towns throughout the county and the students and their families have been invited to a reception to recognize their work at the Hall of Records.

To enter, students must submit a poster that is on  a standard 22” x 28” poster board in either landscape or portrait alignment with the name Essex County in 4” letters formed in black across the top.

In addition, the student’s full name, teacher’s name and school name must appear on the back of the poster. The clerk's office gives this advice to entrants: Students should express their appreciation for the history, people and beauty of the county through their art work.

The contest is held annually to commemorate April's "County Government" Month.

Posters must be mailed or delivered no later than April 20 to Essex County Clerk Christopher J. Durkin, Room 247 – Hall of Records, 465 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Newark, N.J. 07102.

For more information or questions, click here or call the clerk's office at (973) 621-4921, ext 234.