Sandy Springs officials, a local business owner and a local nonprofit are teaming up to get local businesses in the holiday spirit.
Sandy Springs’ holiday decorating contest, known as “Sparkle Sandy Springs,” is the first of what organizers hope will be many years of competitions to see which business owner is merrier and cheerier than his or her neighbor. If things work out, it could even turn into a full-fledged event with a parade and decorated high-rise office buildings, according to Cheri Morris, President of Art Sandy Springs.
“We believe once this is established, people will build around it,” Morris said. “We think the larger business community will get involved.”
But a Grinch almost caused a tiff between the business owner heading up the effort and the city. The city of Sandy Springs issued the Sandy Springs Design Studio a warning this fall after an inflatable Frankenstein’s monster ran afoul of city codes. City Council members quickly reconsidered, opting to revise the rules and offer business owners more flexibility.
The studio’s owner, Bob Brown, said he was so impressed by the city’s pro-holiday spirit that he decided to make his own gesture. He put up $1,000 as prize money to get businesses to join in the festive fun.
“We went out as a good gesture and purchased a couple of hundred white light strings and passed them out,” Brown said. “We called it the ‘Sparkle Sandy Springs’ starter kit.”
He also decorated the Design Center to inspire others.
“Since the city turned the other cheek, I thought it would be a great thing to go ahead and support the lighting and decoration of Sandy Springs,” Brown said. “I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to get the businesses lined up with the city.”
Morris said Mayor Eva Galambos, who detests the inflatable balloons that caused the all the clatter, readily cooperated with Brown to make the event happen.
“Bob Brown and the mayor found a way to turn that lemon into holiday lemonade,” she said.
The biggest surprise of all this Christmas and Chanukah season may be how many business owners decide to participate. Morris and Brown said they don’t yet know how many local business owners will be inspired to put some sparkle in their storefronts.
“We expect this year a good involvement from the business community but businesses generally plan their holiday décor several months in advance and we know this is our beginning point,” Morris said.
The Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce is ringing the bells, letting businesses know about the opportunity to participate, Morris said. The judging will take place Dec. 14. Participants will be assessed on their creativity, expression of theme, use of lighting, use of space and overall quality. The winners will be announced Dec. 15 at the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce’s holiday gathering.
“We know we’re starting small,” Morris said. “This will mark the first year of a multi-year program to bring Sandy Springs together for the holidays.”
Galambos agreed.
“The holidays are a time to come together as a family and as a community,” Galambos said of the event. “‘Sparkle Sandy Springs’ is a community initiative, and we think a wonderful way to let Sandy Springs sparkle in lights and showcase our business community.”
