Festive holiday windows dot Bay Street this year for a new decorating contest tied to weekly festivities that will mark Tuesdays through Dec. 11.

The contest started Tuesday, and almost 40 businesses are participating, according to Darlene Kelley of Simply Southern and Simple Southern Too. Kelley developed the idea for a Holiday Dazzle Storefront & Window Display Contest and worked with Main Street Beaufort, USA, and BB&T to conduct it.

"I'm hoping what will happen is this will grow each year, and downtown and Bay Street will be someplace you go every year to see the windows and lights," Kelley said.

Shoppers vote on the best windows and seek scavenger-hunt items hidden in the windows along Bay, West, Scott and Port Republic streets. Scavenger-hunt participants who turn in their lists are entered into drawings for baskets with goods donated by merchants.

Tuesdays also will include visits with Santa and music provided by strolling carolers or a barbershop quartet. Some merchants also are offering Tuesday sales and providing food and beverages, Kelley said.

Children can send letters to Santa in a special mailbox downtown, and as long as they include a return address, they will get a response, she said.

Information: Darlene Kelley, 843-379-9740; Main Street Beaufort, USA, 843-525-6644

In other changes about town:

When they moved to Beaufort six years ago, Kristen Coy said, she searched Christian bookstores for a specific version of the Bible and was disappointed in what was available. The store is modeled after a similar shop in Kenya that she heard about.

The store only sells Bibles and study guides, and the Coys avoid teaching doctrine.

"We're not going to tell you the answer, but we'll show you some things that might help you understand," Kristen Coy said. "I find the more you read, the more questions you have."

They said pastors from area churches have sent their congregants to the store, which doubles as study space for small classes and private tutoring. Short classes on hot topics are free.

"The Bible will take care of itself," Randall Coy said. "You don't need anyone to tell you what to believe."

Information: 843-593-0013, TheBibleStudent.com

Follow reporter Erin Moody at twitter.com/EyeOnBeaufort.

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