It might be hard to find warmth in the Pacific Northwest during the winter season, but Port Orchard merchants tried their best downtown this year with a window-decorating contest this year titled “Warmth of the Season.”

Each merchant was invited to decorate their windows based on the theme, and children who came by various shops could pick up a coloring sheet and enter a contest.

This year’s merchant winners were Gazebo Flowers, which took the Judges Award based on a review from a committee of merchants, and Morningside Bread and Pastry Co., which took the People’s Choice Award with its display of gingerbread houses.

The contest began at the beginning of December with the Festival of Chimes and Lights, and was meant to bring customers down to Bay Street.

Port Orchard Bay Street Association President and owner of Custom Picture Framing Mallory Jackson said the event was a success. Customers voted beginning at the festival and Jackson continued to collect ballots up to the Dec. 20 deadline.

This was one of many efforts by downtown merchants to draw in more customers to the area.

The merchants decorated the covered walkway with icicle lights and hung garland over the road.

This even follows a Fourth of July contest to decorate windows with pens, and customers were asked to guess how many pens they could find.

The owners of Morningside and Gazebo will receive their award, which includes a framed certificate and a gift basket from the merchants, at the next Bay Street Association meeting, Dec. 17.