One Red Deer business went above and beyond in getting people excited for Westerner Days this week.
On Tuesday, Westerner Park named Paint of Interest as the winner of the 2024 Saddle Up and Decorate Best Dressed Business competition.
"We had a lot of fun with it. It's nice that we won. We were surprised too," said Paint of Interest owner Shelly Buckland.
Through this competition, six businesses put up decorations ahead of Westerner Days – the other five participants were Sassy B Home and Body, Bluebird Self Storage, Red Deer Resort and Casino, Gasoline Alley Indoor Farmers Market and Bottoms Up Scrubs.
A media release from Westerner Park explains, "Paint of Interest impressed the judges with their comprehensive approach to the theme, beautifully decorating both indoors and outdoors. Their attention to detail and imaginative use of space truly set them apart."
Old buildings were painted on the business' front windows to pay respect to Red Deer's heritage, said Buckland.
"I went back and found basically the first businesses in Red Deer. We picked the Brumpton Store which was the first store, Merchants Bank which was the first bank, and the Queen's Hotel," she said.
"We also added a stall with a horse in it to represent 125-plus years of (the Westerner Exposition Association)."
Buckland's sister Kim Weber free-hand drew out most of this display. The sisters teamed up to paint in those drawings – the process took more than a week.
Inside Paint of Interest, there's a photo booth area, complete with hay bales and horse saddles.
Westerner Park CEO Shelly Flint said all the businesses involved in the competition displayed creativity.
"This competition is all about bringing the community together through the art of decorating," said Flint.
"Things like this that help everybody feel the excitement associated with Westerner Days. It really is a city-wide celebration."
Flint said she was blown away when she saw Paint of Interest's decorations.
"It was astounding to walk up and see the historical components on the window display they've done. Then inside, you see some authentic western pieces. That was amazing for me," she said.
Paint of Interest won eight tickets to this year's Westerner Days, two tickets to a VIP reception and two tickets to Sawyer Brown, who performs at Westerner Park this October.
For more information on Westerner Days, visit www.westernerdays.ca. For more information on Paint of Interest, visit www.paintofinterestreddeer.com.
