New Best Dressed Window Competition Brings Snowy Valleys Streets to Life
The Snowy Valleys Cycle Challenge — delivered by Tumut Rotary — is extending its reach beyond the Showgrounds and theatre venues this year with the launch of a new Best Dressed Window Competition, proudly supported by Business Snowy Valleys.
Running alongside the Art Competition, Short Film Competition and markets weekend, the initiative invites businesses across the Snowy Valleys to dress their shopfront windows in the spirit of this year's festival theme, "Life on Two Wheels," bringing colour, creativity and community spirit to the streets of our towns over event weekend, 26–27 September 2026.
The winning business will receive $500 cash and a complimentary Business Snowy Valleys membership through to 30 June 2027. Snowy Valleys Cycle Challenge Event Lead Ian Ritchie said the competition was a simple, low-cost way for local businesses to be part of the growing festival.
"The Cycle Challenge has grown from a one-day ride into a full weekend festival, and we want that energy to spill out into the main streets of our region," Mr Ritchie said.
"Dressing a window is such an easy way for a business to get involved, show their support and be part of the atmosphere. It also means visitors walking through our towns over the weekend get a real sense that the whole community is behind this event."
Business Snowy Valleys President Michael Hannah said the competition was a great opportunity for local businesses to showcase their creativity and connect with the influx of visitors expected across the weekend. "Events like the Snowy Valleys Cycle Challenge bring significant visitation to our towns, and this is a fantastic, fun way for our members and non-members to get involved, stand out and make a great first impression on visitors," Mr Hannah said.
"We're proud to support this new addition to the festival and can't wait to see how creative our local businesses get with their windows."
Businesses in the Snowy Valleys interested in entering the Best Dressed Window Competition can find out more at snowyvalleyscyclechallenge.com.au
There are plenty of other ways to be part of the festival for those who aren't a business, too, with entries open until 14 September for the Art Competition and Short Film Competition, or by registering for one of the cycling events, including the new gravel ride.
The Snowy Valleys Cycle Challenge, delivered by Tumut Rotary, will take place across Tumut and Adelong on 26–27 September 2026, featuring cycling events including a new gravel ride, an Art Competition, Short Film Competition, Best Dressed Window Competition, Cycle Movie Night, markets and live entertainment — all in support of a local fundraising campaign, in partnership with Tumut Hospital Auxiliary and Can-Assist, to bring a mobile skin cancer screening service to Tumut.
For more information, visit:
www.snowyvalleyscyclechallenge.com.au