SENECA – With 75 votes from community members in Upstate South Carolina, the Arts Center of Clemson was the winner of the inaugural Festival of Eggs decorating contest, sponsored by Duke Energy’s World of Energy at Oconee Nuclear Station.

The contest, a spin-off from the World of Energy’s annual Festival of Trees, invited local organizations to adopt and decorate 16-inch plastic eggs, transforming them into works of art. Visitors to the World of Energy cast ballots for their favorite egg.

Eighteen organizations participated, representing non-profits throughout the Upstate.

Oconee Humane Society came in second with 73 votes, and the YouthLink STEM Xtreme egg took third place after receiving 68 votes.

The Arts Center of Clemson will receive a $300 donation from Duke Energy. Oconee Humane Society and YouthLink STEM Xtreme will receive $200 and $100, respectively.

“Thank you to the teams who creatively decorated the 18 eggs to benefit the many non-profit organizations in the Upstate,” said World of Energy Manager Chris Rimel. “Given the success of the World of Energy’s inaugural Festival of Eggs, we are looking forward to making it a tradition.”

More than 500 ballots were cast during the exhibition, which began on March 20.

“A special thank you goes out to the people who took time to come in and cast their votes,” Rimel said. “That helped the success in a big way.”

Staff Report