Deliciously cute PEEPS literary dioramas comng soon to Longmont Library’s Facebook page

For the seventh year, Longmont residents will have the opportunity to submit literary-themed PEEPS dioramas virtually for a gift card to a local business and bragging rights. 

The Longmont Public Library is hosting its annual PEEPS Literary Diorama Contest. Similar to last year, the competition will be held virtually due to social distancing guidelines. 

The idea is the brainchild of Josie Brockmann, a longtime librarian in Longmont, according to Teresa Myers, marketing and communications manager for the library. 

Brockmann said the inspiration came from the Washington Post’s PEEPS diorama contest. 

“I figured it would be easy to adapt to a library setting,” Brockmann said. 

Brockmann’s idea not only transferred to a library setting, but thrived in it and has become so well-loved that it has drawn as many as 75 participants a year and news of it traveled to Denver to be featured FOX 31’s Daybreak morning news in 2017. It has become a seasonal favorite that has withstood the pandemic. 

“Last year we had already set up the information for the PEEPS, the contest was ready to start rolling right when things started to shut down for COVID, so we pulled it back and told everybody it was canceled,” Myers said. “The reaction was really swift and strong, that people felt like, more than ever, they needed the PEEPS.”

This caused librarians to find a new and innovative way to hold the competition. Even though participation was down, they were able to hold the contest on Facebook, making sure the community could still enjoy the PEEPS diorama tradition. 

This year, the library was able to plan for social distancing guidelines in advance and has made the event virtual. 

According to the rules posted on the library’s webpage, dioramas must have a literary theme, must contain at least one PEEPS marshmallow chick or bunny and must be made using a shoebox or cardboard for support. 

“(The literary-theme) gives someone a lot of material to work with,” Brockmann said, “I think the Harry Potter series has been the most popular recurring theme with the Three Little Pigs close behind.” 

Some dioramas Brockmann remembers over the years are “The Lottery” and “Silence of the Lambs.” Other themes have included “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Annie,” “Horton Hears a Who” and “Hamlet.” 

“I find the juxtaposition of cute little PEEP sweets and dark subject matter compelling,” Brockmann said. 

Dioramas can be submitted online via Facebook Messenger, direct message through Twitter or by sending an email to the library by midnight March 19. 

Contestants will need to include their name, the title of their diorama, the age category they are entering and a couple of photos. Age groups are for kids 8 and younger, tweens ages 9 to 13 and adult for ages 14 and older . A winner for best diorama will be chosen from each of the three age groups.

Contestants  also can win prizes in four sub-categories: best transformation of a PEEPS, best diorama title, Library’s Choice chosen by the library staff, and “Peeple’s” Choice voted via Facebook and email. 

Voting on the dioramas will take place on Facebook and by email from March 26 and April 1. Winners will be announced on April 2. 

Brockmann said the contest is particularly special to her friend, Ann Noble’s, love of the contest. Noble died in 2019. She wonders what her friend would have created this year. 

“It isn’t often in our lives, especially as we get older, that we get to be whimsical and creative but I think this contest lets our inner kid come alive,” Brockmann said.