New Business Wins Downtown Beautification Contest

earned the top prize in the contest to dress up downtown with fall-themed decorations in advance of this weekend’s event.

The competition, known as the , awarded cash prizes to the winner and also made a contribution to a local non-profit organization of the winner’s choice.

“It was just a really good effort by our merchants,” said Hamilton Board of Selectmen Chairman Jennifer Scuteri said.

The contest included the combined downtown area of Hamilton and Wenham on Bay Road, Main Street, Railroad Avenue and the surrounding area.

Allied Conservation – a new business at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Willow Street that restores artwork - won $100 plus a $50 donation to a local charity will be made it the business’ name from Hamilton-Wenham Rotary.

Second place went to on Bay Road with a $50 cash prize. A $50 donation will also made to a local charity by Rotary.

There was a tie for third place – on the 300 at Main plaza and on Railroad Avenue each won $25 and a $25 donation from Rotary.

The contest was designed to ready the combined downtown area for the upcoming Harvest in the Marketplace event on Saturday with over 40 vendors plus local shops at 300 at Main and on Bay Road and Railroad Avenue.

Honorable Mention went to and , which were each awarded $25 cash.

The awards came from donations from the Board of Selectmen and Hamilton-Wenham Rotary.

Other fall-themed displays in the competition were at , Henderson's Gifts, , , , , Hamilton-Wenham Veterinary Hospital, and .

Plus, this year’s “Spring into Summer” winners at and also competed.