Merchants still have time to put the finishing touches on their festive windows for the 2021 Downtown Crawfordsville Holiday Window Decorating Contest.
The deadline for businesses to complete their display and register online is Nov. 24, the day before Thanksgiving. The registration form and contest rules can be found on the Crawfordsville-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.crawfordsvillechamber.com/holidaywindows.html.
The event is sponsored by the Chamber, Visit Montgomery County Indiana, Crawfordsville Main Street, WCDQ-FM (106.3) and the Journal Review.
Images of the participating windows will be posted on the Chamber’s website for shoppers at Crawfordsville Main Street’s Downtown Party Night on Nov. 27 to begin selecting the winner of the People’s Choice Award. Public voting ends on Dec. 15.
“We’re finding that this little opportunity has just kicked off more enthusiasm for getting into the Christmas spirit … and decorating,” said Sue Lucas, Main Street program manager.
The remaining categories are Best Overall Theme, Best Small Window (less than 40-square-feet) and Best “Polar Express” theme. A panel of judges from the party night planning committee will select the winners in those categories.
Cash prizes are awarded to the top two businesses in each category. First-place finishers receive $100 and second-place finishers get $200.
Winners will be announced on Dec. 17 and publicized in the Journal Review and on WCDQ.
This is the second year for the contest. Winners of last year’s People’s Choice Award were Athens Arts and the Montgomery County Community Foundation.
Main Street also announced more details about another new holiday tradition returning this year: a collection drive for FISH Food Pantry. The drive kicks off on party night.
Non-perishable food can be dropped off through Dec. 5 at 25 participating businesses, which is double the number that collected donations last year, Lucas said. The sites will be announced on Main Street’s social media pages. Cash donations are also accepted.
Main Street volunteers will deliver the food to FISH on Dec. 7. Last year, more than 640 pounds of food were collected, Lucas said.
Other organizations are holding donation events during party night. Volunteers for Mental Health in Montgomery County will be on hand next to Milligan’s Flowers and Gifts to accept items for the annual Christmas drive for local care agencies.
A bell ringer for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign will be stationed outside Fusion 54. The Strawberry Festival Queen Court will accept gently-used winter gear for the Family Crisis Shelter at Marie Canine Plaza.
