At first, it was nice just to have Old West End business owners, Michelle Bowers (Old House Life) and Luke Ramsey (Ramsey Restoration) enter a float in the Christmas Parade.

It got better when their joint float won first prize in the corporate division of the parade (trophy photo at top).  Congratulations Michelle and Luke!

Better yet, they were asked to enter the float in the holiday light show at Ballou Park, shown on site below.

The float, largely unchanged and completely unplanned, placed third in that event.  Congratulations again, Michelle and Luke!

Best of all, from the perspective of the Gazette, winners of the holiday light show direct a part of the proceeds to their favorite charities.  Old House Life and Ramsey Restoration directed their share to our nonprofit neighborhood organization, Friends of the Old West End.  Thank you, Michelle and Luke.