LoDo Aglow demonstrates the light stuff

Entries in the third annual LoDo Aglow contest -- for which 22 businesses in lower downtown decorated their windows -- ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous. The really ridiculous. Who knew that one of Santa's elves was a pole dancer? But that was just one of the revelations in...

By Patricia Calhoun

December 21, 2011

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Entries in the third annual LoDo Aglow contest -- for which 22 businesses in lower downtown decorated their windows -- ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous.

The really ridiculous. Who knew that one of Santa's elves was a pole dancer? But that was just one of the revelations in the over-the-top, silver-and-blue display at the Oxford Hotel, which took first prize.

Other awards were snagged by Cry Baby Ranch in Larimer Square, which placed second with its smart, snappy taupe-and-black display. And then there was the elegant, restrained line of wreathes in architectural formation at the third-place winner, Shears Adkins. My personal favorite was the display at John Atencio in Larimer Square, true jewels that displayed gems from the store alongside TV tableaus.

Want to get lit at LoDo Aglow? The displays are up through December 31; find a map to all the windows here.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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