· Best in Show – The Boxwood, 533 State Street
BRISTOL, TN/VA - Several businesses in Historic Downtown Bristol have turned their windows into a celebration of Rhythm & Roots Reunion and our musical heritage for this year's Up Against the Wall Rockin' Stroll Window Contest. From a tribute to musical heroes and the music industry at blowfish emporium to the pairing of fashion with musical instruments declaring music as "always in style" in the windows of Pretty Girl Station, the creativity and artistic talent in Bristol's downtown community is on display.
"Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion's partnership with Believe in Bristol's Up Against the Wall Gallery Rockin' Stroll was designed to help downtown businesses get foot traffic to their doors during the event," says Charlene Baker, director of marketing and communications for Birthplace of Country Music, the non-profit parent organization of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.
"The prize structure was created to offer cash prizes as well as goods and services that may help downtown businesses succeed. The Loafer has offered free advertising, and Jerry Peter Sales is donating business card magnets to the Best in Show window contest winner. It's just one more way to show appreciation for our downtown community. They provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere to our visitors and make us unique from other festival experiences. As an attraction, Historic Downtown Bristol is every bit as important as the artist line-up to artists and tourists alike."
The windows were decorated in time for Food City Family Race Night Aug. 22, and a panel of three members from Believe in Bristol's Arts & Entertainment District Committee faced some tough judging decisions. After examining each window in detail and much deliberation, the panel came up with three winners and two honorable mentions:
· Best in Show – The Boxwood, 533 State Street
· Most Creative – Stateline Bar & Grille, 646 State Street
· Most Festival Spirit – Holly Help Spay-Neuter Fund, 14 6th Street
· Honorable Mentions – Serendipity, 705 State Street, and 606 State Street Gallery, 606 State Street
Other participants included Pretty Girl Station, 505 State Street; blowfish emporium, 529 State Street; Uncle Sam's Loan Office, 614 State Street; Cranberry Lane, 623 State Street; Green with Envy, 20 6th Street; Pen's Floral, 32 Moore Street; and The Mad Hatter Salon, 14 Piedmont Avenue. The three main winners will receive a variety of cash and advertising prizes, and will be presented with trophies during the festival Saturday, Sept. 21 from the State Street Stage.
The windows will be on display through the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Sept. 20–22 and be part of the festival's Rockin' Stroll self-guided tour. Beat the crowds now and come on down to Historic Downtown Bristol to see these wonderful windows.
For more information, visit www.believeinbristol.org or contact René Rodgers of Believe in Bristol at 276-644-9700, rrodgers@believeinbristol.org.
