Concord clotheslines to send a message.

Project Laundry List, the New Hampshire-based organization behind the national effort to promote air-drying and cold-water washing to save energy, will hold a clothesline competition as part of fall foliage festivities in Concord.

Between Sept. 17 and 21, downtown businesses in Concord will be asked to display a clothesline in their shop window. Project Laundry List also will display a series of clotheslines in front of the Capitol to promote the group's mission.

According to the organization, tumble dryers account for an estimated 10 to 20 percent of median residential electricity use and are second only to the refrigerator in household appliance energy use.

A panel of judges decide the best clothesline.

Participating businesses will be asked to submit a $20 entrance fee ($15 will go to Project Laundry List to cover expenses and $5 will go to Main Street Concord). Businesses may forego the entry fee by pledging to ask their customers to "round up" final sales as a way of donating to Project Laundry List.

Checks should be made payable to "Project Laundry List" and sent to 27 Holly St., Suite A, Concord, N.H. 03301. It is also possible to pay the entrance fee online at store.laundrylist.org/denate.asp and choose "A Touch of Color" from the drop-down menu.

For more information, call 603-226-3098 or email [e-mail].