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COLUMBUS – Each year during Homecoming Week, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce invites local businesses to show their Cardinal pride through the annual Cardinal Spirit Decorating Competition.
This year, 14 businesses joined in, decorating their storefronts in red and white and helping “Paint the Town Red” in support of the Columbus Cardinals. The community was invited to vote for their favorite display, with the winning business taking home the traveling Cardinal Spirit Award until next year.
This year’s competition came down to an incredibly close finish. The First State Bank and Frontier Rodeo Coffee Co. tied with 62 votes each in the original round of voting, sending the two businesses into a special tiebreaker round.
After another strong response from the community, The First State Bank was named the 2026 Cardinal Spirit Award winner with 241 votes, while runner-up Frontier Rodeo Coffee Co. finished with 239 votes. Just two votes separated the finalists.
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce congratulates The First State Bank and thanks all 14 participating businesses for showing their Cardinal pride during Homecoming Week. Thank you as well to everyone in the community who voted and helped make this year’s competition a success.
