"I'll be Home for Christmas" at Dania Furniture, 2007

The 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships will once again give Spokane a chance to shine in the national spotlight. An estimated 14 hours of live, prime-time television coverage provides ample opportunities for the city to sparkle.

In an effort to encourage area businesses to dress-up and look their best for the event, the Downtown Spokane Partnership/Business Improvement District (DSP/BID) is sponsoring a "Downtown Decor and Window Display Contest." 

Leanne Sangster, marketing communications manager for the organization says, "The contest is a nice way to get retailers involved-- and a way to draw people to their stores."

As an added incentive, the following prizes will be awarded:

• First Place: Two front-row seats to the Skating Spectacular
• Second Place: Two tickets for the Championship Pairs Final
• Third Place: Two tickets to the Junior Mens Final

According to Sangster the goal is create a festive welcoming atmosphere for skaters and spectators. Main themes include, skating, winter, and ice.

Expect to see plenty of red, white and blue as well. Sangster said they're encouraging businesses to display flags and show American pride in the fact that Spokane has once again been chosen to host the national championships.

Sprucing up for skating has created lasting benefits for the city. For example, the DSP/BID produced 150 winter-themed banners for the 2007 event. Those banners have since become the official downtown winter banners.

In addition, new snowflake decor and blue lights adorn the Post and Wall Street promenades. The Lincoln Building will light up in patriotic colors as will the Pavilion at Riverfront Park.
Riverpark Square has gotten into the spirit with new snowflake lighting.

"We're encouraging folks to incorporate their holiday displays, as well," Sangster says. "We ask that all the displays be up by January 5 and prizes will be awarded on January 8."

She offers the following tips: Businesses can decorate their windows, lobbies and doorways with:

• Snowflakes or winter decor
• Flags or other patriotic items
• Red, white and blue mini-lights
• Banners, bows or swags
• Red, white and blue metallic stars
• Old skates, skis or snowshoes
• Figure skating apparel and costumes

Or they can:

• Paint a winter or ice skating scene on windows
• Wrap vacant windows in red, white and blue paper
• Change exterior lights to red, white and blue bulbs

 U.S. Figure Skating posters are also available. Call  456-0580 for more information.

To enter the window decorating competition contact Leanne Sangster at LSangster@DowntownSpokane.net or visit the DPS/BID website at www.DowntownSpokane.net

Entries will be accepted until December 11. The competition is heating up. Sangster says she's already received entries featuring the following themes: "Olympics Past and Present," "Colors of Skating USA," and "Pottery Place Plus Presents Prudence and Pete on Ice."

Sangster says she hopes for huge participation in the contest as downtown businesses do their part to help Spokane sparkle in the national spotlight.

 

 

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