It is guaranteed to look a lot like Christmas this holiday season in downtown Great Bend, thanks to a generous contribution by an anonymous donor. She has donated $3,000 in prize money to the top three winners in the “Christmas Window Decorating Contest” that will run through much of November.
“Best Christmas Window” Awards will be announced on Nov. 28 following the Home for the Holidays Parade in downtown Great Bend. Window displays must be family friendly, creative and festive. They will be judged on general presentation, workmanship, lights and originality. Winning windows will be selected by a panel of decorating professionals.
The Grand Champion award winner will receive $1,500; Reserve Grand Champion will receive $1,000; and Third Place will win $500.
“The spirit of Christmas runs in my family,” said the donor, when asked why she contributed to the contest. “My grandmother was extremely big on Christmas; it was the most important day of the year for her. She started planning for Christmas on January 1st. My mom was the same way, and I am similar. I love Christmas, I love our community, and I’d love for Great Bend to be recognized positively for the special season.”
The event is organized by the Rosewood Roots & Wings Santa Committee that also is associated with Santas Around The World, the multicultural holiday exhibit, which opens each Christmas season in downtown Great Bend. Boundaries for the window-decorating contest cover 10th to 18th Streets, and from Williams Street to Kansas Avenue in Great Bend. There are no fees to enter, but participants are responsible for the cost of their decorations.
Downtown business owners are encouraged to enter the contest, as well as those who would like to become window decorators. Applicants who do not have a store window to decorate will be assigned a vacant window in downtown Great Bend, based on availability. Participants must submit their application by 5 p.m. on Nov. 9 to be included in the judging. Judging for the window decorations will run from Nov. 21-27.
Those interested in participating may access rules and an application form at SantasAroundTheWorld.com, or contact Anna Hammond at 620-793-5888 to receive an application form.
“I’d like to see every store decorated so that when you walk or drive through our downtown streets, Christmas lights are on, decorations are in full display, and there’s a positive energy in the air,” said the donor. “It’s been a challenging year and it’s just time to have some fun. I’m hoping that the contest will also encourage more people to shop in downtown Great Bend. We have a lot of nice stores with wonderful retail people that have a little bit of everything to sell for that perfect Christmas gift.”
