Annual window decorating contest winners

Niwot's annual window decorating contest, sponsored by Left Hand Animal Hospital, drew an unprecedented number of participants at Enchanted Evening on Nov. 29. With 23 businesses included in Old Town and Cottonwood Square, those attending the festival saw a wide array of themes: Santa's welcome home living room, gnomes welcoming visitors to Gniwot, even miniature superheroes celebrating a tiny terrarium version of Hanukkah.

New participants in the contest this year, Classic Looks and Abo's Pizza, drew compliments for their innovative windows, while new artists Ashley Frary Lutz and Carly Graziano (12, daughter of Niwot Massage owner Laura Graziano) revealed their magical images along with returning fan-favorite Thomas Grey Studholme.

After all ballots were collected and counted, the winners were presented with beautifully handmade plaques. The Niwot Tavern continued their winning streak for a third year in a row, delighting Enchanted Niwotians with Studholme's paintings of elves, a helpful Abominable Snowman and a devilishly handsome Grinch welcoming patrons at the front door.

An elegant display by the Niwot Inn greeted visitors with lighted reindeer, classically beautiful wreaths and the twinkling lights of their handsomely curated Christmas tree visible from the street, garnering a second-place award.

Inkberry Books, known for drawing crowds to their weekly events featuring the works of local artists and readings by notable authors, won the third-place prize for their photographic and festive aerial view of Santa flying over their store and others in Cottonwood Square.

All entries submitted by voters were entered into a drawing for prizes provided by local businesses: an Amazon Echo from Leigh Suskin Farmers Insurance Agency, $50 from Lucky Pie and a $25 gift certificate courtesy of home decor store Fly Away Home were awarded to Peter Brondes, Dustin Risley and Jonathan Macomber, respectively.