TRURO - A blue Harley, blue lounge chairs, a blue backdrop, a blue Dutch Mason album cover and a barbecue.
All combined, that arrangement was enough to win this year's Paint the Town Blue competition for M.P. Crowell Ltd.
"Oh great," co-owner Steve Crowell said, when informed of his store's win Monday afternoon.
The contest is organized as part of the Dutch Mason Blues Festival, which runs this weekend.
"A-one," Crowell said, of the two admission tickets that come with the first-place showing. We'll use the tickets, no problem." Festival representative Melissa Trites said a dozen local businesses participated in the contest, which involved decorating storefronts or windows in a blues theme.
From that perspective, M.P. Crowell had things pretty much covered. The store's display included a 2003 centennial anniversary edition Harley Davidson motorcycle – painted blue, no less – two blue lounge chairs, a bright blue backdrop; drum set, guitars, a couple of early Dutch Mason album covers (one shaded blue called Dutch Mason, Janitor of the Blues), a barbecue and a window scene depicting Dutchie wailing away on the harmonica.
Although Trites said organizers were hoping more businesses would participate in the contest, they were happy with the effort put forth by those who did take part.
"We did have some nice displays," she said, including a window painting display at Murphy's Fish & Chips that came "a really close second" to the winning entry. And Sea Shell Clothing Design on Inglis Place, which received honourable mention.
"It was neat going out judging because we actually got to see town reactions to some of the designs," Trites said.
And she said the contest appears to have helped set the mood for the weekend's entertainment lineup.
"Everyone seemed really excited and positive about the festival."
