LaGalerie Wins 11th Lilac Window Display
By Karen Gould

The "Once Upon a Time" window display at La Galerie on Market Street won first place in the window decorating contest during the 58th Annual Lilac Festival. (Photograph courtesy of Buzz Waggoner)

Tinker Bell magically flew through the air in the animated window display at La Galerie on Market Street, helping the store to take first place in the Lilac Festival window decorating contest. This is the 11th year the store has been recognized for its creative displays matching each year's Lilac Festival theme.

Second place was awarded to the Balsam Shop, and Ryba's Fudge came in third. The stores each received a plaque marking the accomplishment.

This year's Lilac Festival theme, "The Victorian Era Fairy Tale," was captured by La Galerie store owner Buzz Waggoner, his wife, Carolyn, and store employees, who filled the window with princess and fairy tale dolls, tiny purple lights, and Victorian posters.

"It's always a delight to do a special window that would give pleasure to a visitor looking at it," said Mr. Waggoner, "and to add to the festivities of the week."

Whether they win or lose, he said, it's a project the staff enjoys.

The project began with a week of planning the window design, including drawing sketches of potential layouts, before tackling the five-hour job.

Every fairy tale begins with "once upon a time," said Mr. Waggoner, and that often-used line inspired the window's design. The tiny purple lights that set the Victorian mood were purchased in years past during the festival, he said. Boaters at the marina also used to buy the purple lights and string them on their yachts and sailboat masts.

"It was just beautiful," remembers Mr. Waggoner.

For the store window, he said, they used two porcelain princess dolls, and three fairy tale dolls including Goldie Locks, Snow White, and Little Red Riding Hood. A grandmother doll reading the fairy tale storybook "Little Red Riding Hood" centered the display, as Tinker Bell flittered back and forth in the window.

Island visitors chose the window display winners. Ballots were available at the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, many Island hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, and historic inns, said Mary McGuire Slevin, Tourism Bureau director.

Those who vote have a chance to win a vacation on the Island.

Five businesses participated in the contest.