Photos by Marie Mccolm The business winners of the Candyland-themed decorating contest were announced recently. H&R Block of Monte Vista took first followed by Nino’s Mexican Family Restaurant in second and Rainbow’s End Thrift Store in third.

MONTE VISTA — The Candyland-themed Parade of Lights rolled through town on Dec. 4, and the big tree in Fullenweider Park has been lit up ever since, shining a beautiful light in the middle of Monte Vista. Residents along with businesses also took part in a Candyland-themed contest that was being organized by Monte Vista’s Jennifer Dye Becker.

Becker has been organizing the holiday Parade of Lights, and business and residential decorating contests for three years now. The top three business winners were announced for their Candyland Themed window displays.

First prize was awarded to H&R Block in Monte Vista. Manager of H&R Block Michelle Velasquez was pleased with the win.

“I remember playing Candyland when I was young, we honestly decorated everything based on the decorations we could get here the quickest, but it worked,” Velasquez said. H&R Block’s Candyland-themed window included multicolored giant pieces of candy, along with a Candyland backdrop that shows peppermint candy trees, cupcakes, and a gingerbread house. There were also labels with candy places put up all over the window, along with lollipops and candy cake pops.

Second place went to Nino’s Mexican Family Restaurant of Monte Vista. Nino's created a Candyland maze on their window, complete with gingerbread men, tiny ice cream cones, large pieces of peppermint candy, a giant candy cane, and large yummy-looking suckers with red ribbons tied around them.

Third place went to Rainbow’s End Thrift Store. Rainbow’s End created a window with a giant gingerbread house and a giant gingerbread man, complete with giant candy cane sticks. The window was also adorned with giant peppermint candies, and large gumball drops hanging from the ceiling.

Becker said they needed to confirm one address before she could announce the residential decorating contest winners.