IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas and Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) is celebrating the start of the festive season by inviting businesses and traders to get creative and take part in the annual Christmas Window Display Competition.

Businesses with shop fronts across the Southern Grampians have been encouraged to go all out and bring the spirit of the holidays to their windows.

The competition, which begins on Monday, November 18 will have a range of prizes awarded to first place as decided by the judging panel based on creativity, eye-catching aesthetic, and overall Christmas cheer.

SGSC chief executive, Tony Doyle said the competition heralded the start of what was hoped to be a busy festive period for the retail sector and is a fun way to encourage the community to get into the holiday spirit.

“With the window competition, the decorations, the trees and everything else that happens in the Shire, it’s hard not to get into the festive season,” he said.

“This is a competition that aims to support local businesses and traders and encourage the community to shop locally.

The more businesses that we can involve, the more reason visitors will have to come and do some shopping on the streets of our community.”

Winners will be determined by a panel of judges for first prize, with the community favourite winner determined by the public vote.

Those who vote also go in the draw to win a fantastic prize with winner selected at random.

Up for grabs will be a number of $250 shop local vouchers for each category – judges choice, people’s choice and a selected voter.

Local businesses and traders can register their window online via QR code or via Council’s website, with entries closing November 29.

Christmas window judging and online public voting will take place from Monday, November 18 and will run until Thursday, December 19.

Community members can vote for their favourite display by visiting bit.ly/3YYuaZi

For more information, contact SGSC Economic Development Support officer, Daniel Shaw on dshaw@sthgrampians.vic.gov.au

Keep an eye out for more events and promotions this holiday season.