Businesses decorate for Fair

The Evergreen State Fair revived an old tradition in 2006 whereby local businesses decorate their store fronts to the Fair’s theme.

It’s back for a second consecutive year with the 2007 theme, “Be Somebunny! Hop to The Fair!” with a bunny family as this year’s mascots.

Six businesses in Monroe competed for the title “Best in Show” and the winners are (drum roll, please):

Best of Show: Harmsen and Associates, who utilized the Fair theme and their own services depicting a surveying bunny on “Hareway 522.”

1st Place: The Monroe Chamber of Commerce, designed by Misti Hlavek featuring movie themes with a clapboard and film characters such as “Hare-E Potter;” Second Place goes to the Monroe Post Office enthusiastically headed up by Postmistress Linda Cline; Third Place belongs to John L. Scott, (the 2006 Best of Show winner); and an Honorable mention for Bourg Law Offices who had young artists create their entry: The Bradley Children: Shaman, 12; Annika, 8; Lucas, 6; and Aelena, 3.

Judging was based on originality, creativity and use of theme.

As the Best of Show winner, Harmsen and Associates will be honored at the VIP Opening Day Luncheon and receive their trophy during the Fair’s Opening Day Ceremony at 2 p.m. on the Comcast Courtyard Stage; and their name will be added to a perpetual plaque to be displayed year round at the Fairgrounds.