Businesses throughout Yelm are getting in the holiday spirit with storefront displays, and FFA students from Yelm High School have selected some of the best.

Each year, the city and the Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce hold an annual storefront decoration contest.

FFA students and their advisors go around town, judge each display and pick out their favorites during the city’s Christmas in the Park celebration.

Chamber Director Cecelia Jenkins said the contest encourages people to shop locally and gets people into the spirit of the season.

“From the chamber’s standpoint, we want to encourage shopping locally and I think when the whole town’s decorated and festive, it makes you feel in the spirit,” she said.

It ties into decorations throughout town, Jenkins said. She said she’s seen people pull into Yelm City Park and just sit in their cars watching the lights.

“It all ties together, having the town look pretty and festive and making people feel good and lifting up their spirits,” she said. “And when stores are decorated, it makes it inviting and encourages shoppers to come in and take a look at what they’ve got.”

She was especially encouraging of the FFA students who she said volunteered their time and did a great job judging.