Singing Contest for Grandparents Day

National Grandparents Day is almost here. The holiday is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day in both the United States and Canada (Sept. 13, 2009), and on the first Sunday in October in the United Kingdom (Oct. 4, 2009).

Marian McQuade, a housewife from West Virginia is credited as being the “grandmother” of National Grandparents Day. Her dream was to celebrate the elderly in nursing homes as well as encourage grandchildren to learn from the wisdom and heritage of their own grandparents.

In honor of Grandparents Day, the National Grandparents Day Council is sponsoring a Songest Contest. Anyone of any age can enter, but those younger than 18 must first get parental permission. You can create your own original melody, select an old familiar tune, or use one of the songs suggested by the council, such as “Grandparents are Great” sung to the melody of “The Farmer In The Dell.” The songs should speak of the bond between grandparents and grandchildren in general or in personal terms.

Once you have your tune picked out and practiced, upload your song to YouTube and send a link to the video to info@grandparents-day.com. Deadline is Oct. 15 and winners will be announced Oct. 25. For more information, visit the National Grandparents Day Council Web site at www.grandparents-day.com.

Photo, Flickr, yugenro