Idaho Mountain Express: Holiday decorating contest under way

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Holiday decorating contest under way

Business owner hopes Ketchum will be at its dressiest best when visitors come to town

By REBECCA MEANY
Express Staff Writer

Bellissimo owner Terry Murphy stands outside her Ketchum store Wednesday. She’s spearheading a decorating contest to encourage business owners to dress up the town for the holidays. The winner will be announced Dec. 8. Photo by David N. Seelig

Ketchum is in a scenic mountain environment, a visual reward for visitors and a source of pride for locals. One business owner is hoping the town itself will offer such charm, especially during the holidays.

Terry Murphy, owner of Bellissimo, has for the second consecutive year organized a contest to encourage business owners and building owners to decorate their stores and buildings.

"All of Ketchum needs to participate in being a resort town," she said. "That's what we are."

Murphy said visitors should be rewarded for making the trek here.

"We should show the tourists how great Ketchum can be," she said. "We owe it to the tourists to dress it up, to decorate every part of town."

Murphy and other volunteers have been handing out posters, hoping to generate interest and, more importantly, participation in the contest.

This year's theme is "Winter Wonderland."

Murphy and a board of directors have collected $2,000 and a gift certificate at Atkinsons' for the winner.

Judging likely will take place on Dec. 7, with the winner announced at the Ketchum holiday tree lighting event on Dec. 8.

"It's not how many lights you put up," she said. "It's the thought involved."

Murphy said she's hoping to see Main Street lit up and decorated from end to end.

"That's everyone's first visual (in town)," she said. "You enter Ketchum, and there's Main Street. Gorgeous. Then you make a right on Sun Valley Road, all lit up, and you know you want to be here for the holidays."

For more information, contact Murphy at 726-0702.

Rebecca Meany: rmeany@mtexpress.com

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