Window Decorating Contest!

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY. -- The celebration of the thoroughbred racing season has started downtown with the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association's 3rd Annual Window Decorating Contest, presented by NYRA.

Ten downtown businesses participated in the contest and fully embraced the theme of "Horse Racing is Back in Saratoga" some with horses "breaking through their windows" and others with a "live model" in their window.

Lifestyles Window Decorations, Impressions showcasing 5-year-old Quinn McDonough

"The window decorating contest is about getting in the spirit of the racing season. Our downtown businesses have so much fun decorating their windows and are excited to welcome locals and visitors into our community," President of the Saratoga Springs DBA Deann Devitt said.

The team of top-notch judges met at the Broadway entrance of Congress Park at 10 am Wednesday, July 13th, jumped into decorated commercial golf carts, and started exploring the contestant's windows.

The judges included: News10ABC's Saratoga Track Reporter: Cassie Hudson, Owner of 2003 Kentuck Derby Winner Funny Cide and 2020 Traver's Stake's Winner Tiz The Law: Jack Knowlton of Sackatoga Stable, and Actor/Producer and Consultant Scott Valentine. Many know Valentine for his performance as Nick Moore in the hit TV show: Family Ties.

Scott Valentine, Deann Devitt, Cassie Hudson and Jack Knowlton

The contestants include:

1. Complexions Spa

2. Tailgate & Party

3. Impressions

4. Lifestyles

5. Caroline & Main

6. Hatsational

7. G. Willikers Toys

8. The Dark Horse Mercantile

9. Union Hall

10. Crafter’s Gallery

Within each of the participating stores, there is also a drawing box for the public to ENTER-TO-WIN 2 Clubhouse Reserved Seats for Travers Day.

Those boxes will be collected by 4:00 pm EST on Thursday. The winner of the public drawing will be pulled live in front of the audience from the main stage at The Bluebird Spa City Motor Lodge around 6:30 pm during Celebrate Saratoga presented by 4 Pillar Funding on Thursday, July 14th. That is also when the judges will announce the business that won this year's DBA Window Decorating Contest.

Here are the criteria the judges used to judge the windows:

On Friday, July 15th, NYRA will be announcing the name of the winners at the Saratoga Race Course during race #6: Saratoga Business Association's Celebrate Saratoga The First, Second, Third Place public winners, and the judges, are all invited to the Winner's Circle. Race #6 starts at 3:55pm. All are invited to meet in the Winner's Circle by 3:45 pm.

Thank you again to all who participated in this year's Window Decorating Contest.

A special thanks to Tracey and Kristin who provided transportation for the judges and the DBA.