Traditional, promotional Christmas trees decorated for mayor’s contest

A nativity scene with a manger banked in hay anchored Noble Passage Interiors’ tree, which used Wise Men silhouettes, sparkling stars and a treetop angel. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON – An avenue of trees now stands downtown for the Madison Mayor’s 2013 Christmas Tree Decorating Contest.

Mayor Troy Trulock invited businesses, civic groups and churches to sponsor one of 20 Christmas trees, now on display near the Madison Gazebo on Front Street.

Trulock gave the “Mayor’s Choice” award to Madison First Church of the Nazarene for its patriotic theme in red, white and blue with American flags, banners and soldiers’ uniform patches.

The Lexingtons at Madison received the “Most Sophisticated” prize. Their traditional decorating theme emphasized red and white with falling snowflakes.

For “Most Whimsical,” Asbury Weekday Preschool and Kindergarten used Crayola colors with pennants for garland and giant lollipops festooned in snow-capped branches. Rotary Club of Madison received the “People’s Choice” award, as voted by parade-goers at the Madison Christmas parade on Dec. 14.

Friends of the Madison Library won “Most Creative” with a Harry Potter theme. The tree was customized with oversized, horn-rimmed glasses, Harry’s scarf, a broom and Hogwarts crest.

Receiving “Honorable Mention,” Madison Hospital’s tree festively promoted the Medi-Gras Bash fundraiser with purple, gold and green beads and embellishments paying homage to Mardi Gras.

Madison Street Festival’s tree used royal blues, Grinch greens and luscious purples to accentuate photos of Bob Jones and James Clemens marching bands in the festival parade, artists and crafts vendors.

Friends of the Painted Bra Art Project decorated with ‘bra-sterpieces.’ The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation trimmed Redstone Recognitions’ tree.

Participating municipal groups are Madison City Council of PTAs and Madison City Council. Downtown restaurants Bandito Burrito and Main Street Cafe sponsored trees, along with Main Street businesses Opie Balch Realty LLC and Noble Passage Interiors.

Catisfaction Cat Clinic, Petz Sitters, Lankford/Battle Allstate Agency, Eagle Collision Agency and Platinum Mortgage Inc. also decorated trees.

Lowe’s of Madison donated the trees and one for the gazebo, which Chelsea Haraway and Dana Trulock decorated.

The trees will remain on display downtown through New Year’s Day.