DOVER  –  Downtown merchants brought a festive feel to their window displays during the holiday season as they competed in an annual competition, this year with the theme “Colors of the Season.”

The Dover Art League was awarded first-place honors for its display that featured “The Colors of Winter,” a collaboration among students at the John S. Charlton School and Caesar Rodney High School, and “Winter Traditions Around the World,” from students at Campus Community School.

Zuha Trend won second place, followed by Forney’s Too in the contest sponsored by the Downtown Dover Partnership.

Zuha Trend also captured Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen’s Choice Award while Mitten & Winters and La Hacienda earned honorable mentions in the overall awards for the window displays.

Mayor Christiansen, Jennifer Gunther and Delaware State University art students Zion Weeks, Moungue Nyame, Imani Bush, and Chara Farley, as well as director Neil Kirschling and Roxanne Stanulis of the Delaware Arts Alliance served as judges for this year’s competition.

“The Dover Art League window showcased the business while also being colorful. We also liked the use of colorful artwork,” the team members from Delaware State University said.

Members of the Delaware Arts Alliance added that “[Dover Art League’s] work represents different cultural celebrations which we love. Each piece in the display is creative.

“We think it’s a perfect showcase for the Dover Art League in its celebration of community and various seasonal celebrations. It invites you to stop and look more closely.”

The Delaware Arts Alliance, in response to Zuha Trend’s display, added, “we think it’s very original and creative with the handcrafted gingerbread frame that includes fabric trimmings. It’s a nod to the fashion business that is inside. Very eye-catching from the street.”

Mayor Christiansen shared that Zuha Trend’s display “brings to my mind childhood memories of the whimsical magic and anticipation of Christmas past and the gentle reminder of the solemn origins of the holiday.”

The “Colors of the Season” theme was selected by the Downtown Dover Partnership Design Committee members to celebrate diverse holiday traditions and the rainbow of colors that help make the winter festive.

However, all the votes have not been cast yet.

Members of the community are encouraged to help select The People’s Choice Award. Voting is available on Facebook.com/DowntownDover until Jan. 1.

Individuals interested in judging a Downtown Dover Window Contest in 2024 should reach out to Jordan@DowntownDoverPartnership.com.