Downtown Elgin Neighborhood's window winners announced

The Downtown Neighborhood Association's 11th annual Window Wonderland contest, with the theme of "Home for the Holidays," had record numbers of window entries with over 40 windows being decorated, up 25 percent from last year.

This year's window decorating contest winners are:

• People's Choice Ribbon: Episcopal Church of the Redeemer for 25 S. Grove Ave.

• Most Creative Ribbon: Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick for 50 S. Grove Ave.

• Most Thematic: Southwest Area Neighbors for 51 S. Grove Ave.

• Best Paint Job: Red Bar Winery & Bistro for 74 S. Grove Ave.

• Best Window Display: Gifford Park Association for 164 E. Chicago St.

• Best Rediscovering Downtown Elgin Window: Douglas St. Sports Bar & Grill for 231 Douglas

• Student (first prize): NorthEast Neighborhood Association Kids for 8 Douglas Ave.

• Student (second prize): Episcopal Church of the Redeemer for 25 S. Grove Ave.

• Open (first prize): YWCA for 220 E. Chicago St.

• Open (second prize): Gifford Park Association for 164 E. Chicago St.

• Business (first prize): Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick for 50 S. Grove Ave.

• Business (second prize): Ravenheart Coffee at 176 E. Chicago St.

Windows ranged from holiday nostalgia to winter scenes, to cozy vignettes to tropical holidays, and even displays made out of food. Windows may be viewed around downtown Elgin until Christmas.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association's event was sponsored in part by the city of Elgin, Country Financial, and Hampton, Lenzini, & Renwick. For questions about Window Wonderland or the planning for this event in 2010, call (847) 488-1456.

Downtown Elgin's Window Wonderland "Home for the Holidays" was one of many activities happening in and around downtown Elgin this past weekend and is part of the citywide, nonprofit celebration of the holidays for the months of November and December. Visit elginhomefortheholidays.com.