December 4, 1947

HOLIDAY SEASON OPENING-- The window display contest among McMinnville merchants under sponsorship of the Business and Professional Women’s club marked the start of the holiday season here. Downtown streets were jammed Tuesday night with an enthusiastic crowd despite the cold rain which fell during most of the evening. Third and Davis streets’ intersection was the center of activities before the windows were unveiled and judging undertaken. The arrival of Santa Claus delighted the crowd of some 2000 children and their elders who came along to watch over them and window shop. Tuesday’s window display contest heralded the opening Wednesday night of the Sixth Annual Pacific Coast Turkey Exhibit in the McMinnville armory. The show attracted the record number of exhibitors of any show yet held here. In the top picture panel at left is shown the window display of Harper Jamison Book store display took top honors in its division and went on to take the sweepstakes award. The window display featured a Bible turned to the story of Christ while the favorite comic strip characters of the youngsters cavorted on the balcony inside the store. In the center aisle of the store under this colorful animated display was a cheery Santa standing in ever changing colored lights. At top right is pictured a portion of the large crowd which attended the official opening of the Turkey show in the Armory Wednesday night. On the stage is Miss Ethel Colby of Linfield college who sang several numbers. Entertainment for the evening was presented by Linfield students and the high school glee club. In the side panel at top is a photo of the McMinnville Tractor company window which took top honors in its division and was runner up for the sweepstakes award. Depicted on the window were the Three Wise Men and the Shepherd under the Star of Bethlehem. Pictured just below is the Lula Moore Dress shop window which was awarded top honored in its division by the judges. This window showed Santa moving through the cold winter night over a snow covered rural scene. Changing colored lights added to its beauty. A winter snow scene with an electric train plowing through the drifts won top honors in another division of the contest for Morton’s Cleaners. Cameron & Price Grocery store won top honors in its division with red, green and silver Christmas decorations.