Brick City & Games Takes 1st Place in Cherry Fest Window Decorating Contest
Photo: Brick City & Games
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles, Ore., April 22, 2024 – The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the 2024 Cherry Festival Window Decorating Contest. The competition was fierce this year. But ultimately three window displays were favored by festival goers.
Brick City & Games won 1st place with 147 votes and an impressive Cherry Festival lego build that filled their display windows. The display, built from hundreds of legos included a model of the Cherry Festival parade, carnival, music stage, vendors, community, and of course, a Brick City & Games store.
The display took hundreds of legos and 25 hours to build.
”It took us about 2 weeks to complete,” said Leslie Wilson, Owner of Brick City & Games. “We set out to create the entire Cherry Festival in Lego! We built downtown, the community, the parade (including our emergency personnel), the carnival, and a couple of fun neighborhoods including The Simpsons and Sesame Street. In total, I believe we spent over 25 hours of building and setting up. We loved having some of our store customers help as well!”
Photo: Brick City & Games
Photo: Brick City & Games
While that might seem like a lot of time. Leslie said it’s time well spent to see the joy on people’s faces.
”Lego makes me feel like a kid at heart. I am 45 years old and Lego is my therapy. I can get lost in building for HOURS!! Our motto at Brick City & Games is "Reimagine your Imagination". It was so amazing to see those who are both young... and young at heart... squeal with JOY as they found all of the little fun quirks we put in the window. We hope our display brought joy to the hearts of those who looked at it and made them smile, even for a moment!” said Leslie.
”My favorite part was asking people what their favorite part of the display was. No two people answered the same. Some commented on all of the little cherries all over the display, to the crocodile eating the minifig, to the superheroes guarding the town, and even the StormTrooper marching band,” said Leslie.
Brick City and Games will receive $300 cash, a Banner Ad for 1 year on TheDallesChamber.com and ExploreTheDalles.com, also 2 free Eblast Sponsor Ad (value of $2,700) for their hard work.
Upon hearing the news, Leslie took to facebook to thank everyone who voted in the competition:
“THANK YOU!! Thank you for all of your votes!! Thank you for your support and your luv! We TRULY could not continue this business without the support of all of you amazing people who come for Lego, Magic, video games, and more!!” said Leslie.
If you want a chance to see this display time is running out!
“We will leave the display up until next weekend and then we will change it out to get ready for May!” said Leslie.
Photo: Cole Goodwin
Want a chance to try your hand at competitive lego building?
Brick City & Games has an upcoming Star Wars: “May the Fourth Be With You” themed MOC building contest coming up! (MOC* stands for “My Own Creation”, in which people build their own customized, personalized designs rather than following LEGO's original designs and official building instructions.)
More information about the contest and Brick City & Games can be found on their website at www. brickcitygames.com or on thier Facebook, and Instagram. There will also be May 4th specials, including a FREE DRINK at neighboring Wines on Second or Route 30 Bottles and Brews (purchase and restrictions apply).
Photo: Brick City & Games
Photo: Brick City & Games
Photo: Brick City & Games
City of The Dalles Police took 2nd place with 127 votes for their painted window display.
Police Chief Tom Worthy, said no city funds were used on the display.
“The display was entirely funded by Officers who pooled their personal money this year because they wanted to show their community spirit and be involved in the event,” said Worthy.
The Dalles Police plan to put the $150 cash reward towards their community good fund, which can be allocated for charitable local sponsorships. They will use the banner ads for 6 months on TheDallesChamber.com and ExploreTheDalles.com, also 1 free Eblast Sponsor Ad (value of $1,300) for promoting community safety and recruitment.
Photo: City of The Dalles Police
And Sunflower Vision took 3rd place with 79 votes for their Cherries on Broadway themed window display.
3rd Place Prize: receives $75 cash, Banner Ad for 3 months on TheDallesChamber.com and ExploreTheDalles.com, also 1 free Eblast Sponsor Ad (value of $700).
Photo: Sunflower Vision Care
To see more window displays visit: https://explorethedalles.com/window-contest/.
