A festive theme runs through the windows of the storefronts in downtown Augusta.
Some are classic with rosy-cheeked Santas, some are playful such as Yoda using the Force to levitate packages; others evoke the romance of winter with glistening bridal gowns paired with pampas grass angel wings; and others highlight the natural elements of the season with lots of fresh holiday green
And Downtown Soul City wants to know which one is your favorite.
“This is the fourth year of the contest, but the first year Downtown Soul City has done it,” John Porter, Downtown Soul City director, said of the Soul City Spectacular which kicked off Dec. 6.
It was still during the pandemic when Sarah Childers at Destination Augusta came up with an idea to be festive and socially distant at the same time.
Some of Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman’s Santas and a ghost of Christmas past are in the windows at Wier/Stewart. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News Tiffinie Bleu Bridal Boutique. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News 
A Christmas Story themed window at Mod Ink. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News Moth and Magpie Tattoo Studio. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News Yoda uses the Force to levitate presents at The Kru. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News One of the trees inside Three Crows Fiber is decorated with tiny skeins of yard. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News Urban K-9 has a pet-themed holiday window. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News Michael’s Emporium. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News
“People can’t do anything, but they can go outside and look at decorations,” she said of her reasoning at the time.
The windows of about two dozen retailers, professionals and restaurants are part of this year’s contest.
Childers said Downtown Soul City has really grown the participation.
A group of judges will determine the winners of categories such as most creative, most colorful, most elegant and best overall, but organizers hope people will come downtown to vote for the people’s choice award.
Each of the participants will have a poster in the window with a QR code or people may cast their vote by going to downtownsoul.city. The website lists all the participating members and features a map.
Not all of the downtown merchants who’ve decorated for the season signed up to be part of the contest, Porter said.
Voting will close on Dec. 19, and the winners will be announced on Dec. 20. Decorations will remain on display through New Year’s Eve.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here
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