MOUNT VERNON — Displays heralding the holiday season fill the windows of downtown businesses, with the The Woolson Spice Co. earning the award of Best Overall Christmas Window Display in the 2009 Heritage Centre Association Christmas Window Display contest.

“It simply typifies all that is good about an old-fashioned hometown Christmas,” said judge Kate Frazier of Woolson’s display.

When presented the award, Sharon Ressing said she’s wanted to win the award for the past 25 years.

Judges Frazier and Cathy Kempton bestowed the Christmas Spirit Award Judge’s Pick to Y-Not Cycling & Fitness and to last year’s overall winner, Flowers For You. A Christmas Spirit Special Award was given to the Knox County Career Center Job Training Crew for its reminder through its “Christmas Heroes” display that not everyone can be home for the holidays.

In the category for Most Unique, the award goes to frenzy, with its Retro Robot Family celebrating Christmas morning by the fireplace. Best Theme, “The Characters of Christmas,” honors go to Down Home Leather.

“It is quite evident, much time was spent on many of the windows this season,” said downtown manager Lynne Ricard. “HCA is thrilled with the level of participation and encourages everyone to see all the window displays, you won’t be disappointed. So on West High, East Gambier, North Main, South Main, in fact all around the town, you can frolic and play the downtown way with a walk in the wonderland of store displays.”