A friendly competition between businesses has been proposed for downtown Danbury.

The executive director of CityCenter Danbury, P.J. Prunty, has suggested an idea that could help energize the festive holiday spirit in downtown Danbury. According to topix.com., Prunty has encouraged some friendly competition between businesses on Main Street, Danbury by suggesting they spiff up their storefronts with holiday lights and decorations. He's offered a $500 first prize for the best decorations. Second-and-third place gift card prizes will also be awarded and a $250 People's Choice Award is also up for grabs.

The contest is a first-of-its-kind for downtown Danbury. Prunty told the NewsTimes, "We are trying to build up a good community feeling for Main Street." Another reason this friendly business competition is a great idea is because of the upsurge in the immigrant population, which has made Danbury the fastest growing city in Connecticut,

Danbury Mayor, Mark Boughton, has been working towards downtown revitalization since he became the Mayor in November of 2001.

Public voting will begin online on December 12 at citycenterdanbury.com and all contestants must register by November 30, also at citycenterdanbury.com