Although the date and location of the unveiling have changed throughout the years, the inspiration behind EPB’s annual holiday windows has always been to provide a bit of holiday magic for Chattanooga residents and visitors to enjoy.
“The tradition dates back to the early 1940s, when EPB promoted support for the Chattanooga War Fund and included themes related to World War II,” said Angela Taylor, resource planning manager at EPB. “At that time, the windows displayed the electric appliances EPB offered for sale, and the tradition of decorating the windows for the holidays has continued.”
Some things have changed, of course. Employees now use energy-efficient LED lights instead of the traditional incandescent bulbs. The use of automation and technology to animate the characters brings the story behind each window scene to life. Windows volunteers utilize 3-D printing to create some of the characters and objects in the windows.
EPB employees from various departments make the magic come to life. In recent years, the community has also gotten involved, including students with STEM School Chattanooga and the Public Education Foundations’ Step Up program. This year’s partners include The Public Library, Fillauer LLC, Off Leash K9 Training of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Girls’ Choir, which performed at the unveiling of the windows.
The 2018 holiday windows theme is “The Spirit of Chattanooga” and features scenes like the Market Street Bridge, Mrs. Clause selling tree seedlings, critters roasting marshmallows and a gingerbread house with solar panels. A new feature this year celebrates the diversity of people in Chattanooga.
“For many, the windows are an opportunity to use their creative talents and collaborative efforts working with others,” Taylor said. “Each year, the displays are as creative as our imaginations will allow. It is amazing to watch everyone work like little elves in Santa’s workshop. We get to step away from our daily roles and let our imaginations run wild in an effort to create a display that will be as creative as our resources will allow.”
Because EPB promotes energy-efficiency, repurposing and recycling are also a part of the displays. Taylor said she enjoys seeing how repurposed items can add a special touch, such as a Ferris wheel made from a rusty conduit spool.
“This is our annual holiday gift to the community,” Taylor said. “Each year, we enjoy seeing the many smiling faces as they enjoy the display. For some, it may be a first visit, but for many others, it’s a family tradition.”
The EPB holiday windows will remain open through New Year’s Day and can be seen on the Broad and Market Street sides of EPB’s downtown headquarters building located at 10 West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
