Press Release: Downtown transforms into winter wonderland with Ornament Scavenger Hunt and Decorating Contest
ALBANY, NY - After the success of the Downtown Albany Holiday Market and Hot Chocolate Stroll at Union Station, the holiday magic continues in the core of Albany this month with two programs run by the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID): the Downtown Decorating Contest and Ornament Scavenger Hunt.
The popular Ornament Scavenger Hunt returns today, Friday, December 13, inviting residents, commuters, and visitors to participate in a district-wide search for a branded ornament they can take home after successfully finding it.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday leading up to December 23, the BID will hide 28 ornaments donned with "ALB" snowflakes and "ALB" Nipper dogs in businesses, parks, and public places for a total of 140 ornaments to find throughout Downtown. The designs are part of the ongoing Downtown Albany To The Core branding initiative by the BID, meant to symbolize downtown Albany's identity as the core of the Capital Region's economic and social activities.
Residents, commuters, and visitors are encouraged to seek out and take home the ornaments and post their discovery on social media, using the hashtag #AlbToTheCore and tagging @AlbanyBID on Facebook and Twitter/X, and @DowntownAlbany on Instagram and TikTok.
"I look forward to the Downtown Ornament Scavenger Hunt every holiday season. It offers a really fun reason to get out around the neighborhood to visit all of my favorite locations and small businesses hoping to spot and grab a Downtown ornament to add to my growing collection. With the Decorating contest happening at the same time, the businesses are dressed in their holiday best making the whole neighborhood feel extra festive and joyful," said Amanda Rózsavölgyi, a downtown Albany resident.
The Downtown Decorating Contest kicked off on December 6, 2024, and runs through January 2, 2025, welcoming residents, commuters, and visitors to experience holiday cheer through beautifully decorated wintry window displays. A dozen downtown businesses are participating this year, embellishing their storefronts with brightly lit lights, colorfully wrapped packages, dazzling ornaments, intricately crafted paper snowflakes, and more.
We invite viewers to vote for their favorite decorations for a chance to win a $50 Downtown Albany Gift Card redeemable at 35+ locations. The contest winner earns the highly-coveted Downtown Decorating Contest trophy and bragging rights.
The goal of this friendly competition is to encourage the public to experience Downtown’s historic architecture while exploring an array of retailers, restaurants, and community organizations. Voting for the Downtown Decorating Contest is open now through Noon on Wednesday, January 2, 2025. Voters can view displays in person and vote for their favorite online
Participating Locations:
- Albany Symphony | 19 Clinton Ave
- Ascend Wellness MD | 59 N Pearl St, Suite 2
- Daniel Mozzes Design | 61 N Pearl St, Suite 1
- Dawn's Victory Sports Cafe | 10 Sheridan Ave
- European Tailoring and Alteration | 40 N Pearl St
- Fort Orange General Store | 412 Broadway
- Hilton Albany | 40 Lodge St
- Loch & Quay | 414 Broadway
- Pearl Street Diner | 40 N Pearl St
- The Bevy Vintage Collective | 412 Broadway
- The Palace Theatre |19 Clinton Ave
- The Yard Hatchet House and Bar | 16 Sheridan Ave (Entrance on Chapel St)
Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens said:
"Downtown Albany is continuing its holiday festivities with an Ornament Scavenger Hunt, which attracts residents, commuters, and visitors to our district for a fun, family-friendly event. This year's ornaments, like those from last year, reflect our new brand as the heart of the Capital Region and incorporate playful elements that celebrate our community."
Additionally, Downtown's Decorating Contest transforms our district into a winter wonderland and invites participants to explore not only the exteriors but also the interiors of these businesses, many of which are offering fantastic holiday deals and promotions. This year, a dozen small businesses are showcasing their creativity and enthusiasm for the holidays through eye-catching displays, and we are excited to crown a new winner!"
Click here to view photos of the different participants in the Decorating Contest.
