SCHENECTADY — The Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery on Jay Street claimed the People’s Choice award at the second annual IlluminoCity awards at a ceremony at the Schenectady Armory Center on Wednesday night.
The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) and Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy announced the winners at the Wednesday event, which saw area businesses win prizes for their holiday light displays for their charity of choice.
The Bear and Bird Boutique won $2,500 for the Schenectady ARC Horticulture Center, with M/E Engineering claiming first prize in the Schenectady Pride category, with the $1,500 award going to the firm’s chosen nonprofit, the Schenectady Inner City Ministry.
“The City of Schenectady was pleased to join the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation and this year’s partners and sponsors to once again have IlluminoCity light up our downtown and support our local not-for-profits,” Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy noted in a statement. “I congratulate all the winners of this year’s IlluminoCity and thank them for participating to help shine a light on our city and its resurgence while helping to attract more people downtown, shop at our local businesses, and dine at our local restaurants throughout the holiday season and beyond. I look forward to next year’s IlluminoCity being even bigger and brighter.”
Schenectady Hardware & Electric won the most traditional category in this season’s awards on behalf of Northern Rivers Family of Services, with Suriano’s Deli winning the dream big category, with the $1,500 prize bound for the Animal Protective Foundation.
“We are proud to help downtown Schenectady shine during the holiday season by installing festive décor and lighting throughout the district, and IlluminoCity only enhances these efforts,” DSIC Executive Director Jim Salengo declared in a statement. “I am so impressed by the creativity of our property and business owners and their desire to create a magical experience for visitors, residents, and employees. Thank you and congratulations to all our participants, nonprofit partners, and contest winners.”
Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County won first place in the most creative category, with the nonprofit organization competing on behalf of itself. A total of 25 downtown businesses and organizations took part in the competition, which ran from Nov. 19 to Jan. 14.
People’s Choice Award Winners: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with members of Bears & Birds on Jay Street the winners of the People’s Choice Award and their entry. PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
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3rd Place most creative: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., left, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with members of the Sliver Shop the 3rd Place winners in the most creative category and their entry. PETER R. BARBER (top) Provided (bottom)
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1st Place Parade category: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with members of Suriano’s Deli the 1st Place winners in the Parade category PETER R. BARBER (top); Provided (bottom)
1st Place Most Traditional: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with members of Schenectady Hardware & Electric the 1st Place winners in the Most Traditional category PETER R. BARBER (top); Provided (bottom)
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1st Place most creative: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., left, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with members of Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County the 1st Place winners in the most creative category PETER R. BARBER (top); Provided (bottom)
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2nd Place most creative: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., left, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with Mary Brandt, Kate Toombs, and Katherine Crowley-Duncan of Kathleen Toombs Law Office, the 2nd Place winners in the most creative category PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
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3rd Place Schenectady Pride: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., left, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with members of Pioneer Banking the 3rd Place winners in the Schenectady Pride category PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
2nd Place Schenectady Pride: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., left, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with members of the Meirer Law Firm the 2nd Place winners in the Schenectady Pride category PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
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1st Place Schenectady Pride: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., left, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with M/E Engineering the 1st Place winners in the Schenectady Pride category PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
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3rd Place Parade category: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., left, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with members of Urban Co-Works the 3rd Place winners in the Parade category PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
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2nd Place Parade category: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., left, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with Barbara Wald and Betsy Sandberg of Proctors Collective the 2nd Place winners in the Parade category PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
3rd Place Most Traditional: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with Linda Knipper and Caroline Bardwell of the Schenectady Trading Co. 3rd Place winners in the Most Traditional category PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
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2nd Place Most Traditional: Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp, Mayor Gary McCarthy, and Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios stand with Matthew, Dan, and Andrea Cortelyou, and Ron Byrne the 2nd Place winners in the Most Traditional category PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
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Tracy Paige Multi media Marketing Specialist for the Daily Gazette with Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios at the Awards Ceremony for the IlluminoCity contest PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
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Mayor Gary McCarthy with Master of Ceremonies Ray Legere, owner of Armory Studios at the Awards Ceremony for the IlluminoCity contest at Armory Studios PETER R. BARBER/THE DAILY GAZETTE
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