“Lots of Socks” window display contest returns to Kincardine for 10th year

The “Lots of Socks” campaign in Kincardine is marking its 10th year and Community Living of Kincardine and District is urging members of the community to wear their loudest, brightest, patterned, and even mismatched socks, to create awareness and start a conversation about Down Syndrome.

The campaign culminates in a celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, March 21.

Consider wearing your socks over top of your pants to really get people asking what this day is all about!

The Kincardine “Lots of Socks” window display event began in 2015, with only a handful of businesses. Over the past decade, it has grown to more than 100 businesses, schools and organizations in the community - all working together to raise awareness, celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and showcase this inclusive community.

The event welcomes participating business owners to decorate their business windows using brightly-coloured socks, and then community members vote for their favourite display, with the winning business receiving the coveted Golden Sock Award!

Individuals are encouraged to participate by voting for their favourite business window display and rocking their brightly-coloured socks, March 21.

Why socks?

Down Syndrome is the result of a person being born with an extra 21st chromosome (three instead of two). Down Syndrome International, which started the “Lots of Socks” movement, adopted socks as a campaign symbol to help spread the word. Socks were chosen as a symbol for this campaign because, if you take two socks and place them heel to heel they resemble a chromosome!

Why celebrate and why display portraits of those with Down Syndrome?

Everyone deserves a sense of belonging and an opportunity to relate to those around us - from peers, to those we see in the media. Hanging portraits of community members living with Down Syndrome helps to normalize disability while shining a spotlight on the individuals and what makes them, them.

“We are more alike than different and the beautiful portraits captured by local photographer Jamie Edwards show everyday people, in everyday situations or, with some special effects, everyday people in some seriously cool scenes based on their relatable interests,” says Haley Barton, communications and marketing co-ordinator for Kincardine Community Living. “The themes of these portraits reinforce the message that we are more the same than different.

Important dates include:
 

• March 3-7: Posters and portraits will be delivered to businesses that have registered to participate March 15-18: Participating businesses to have their windows decorated and begin sending in photos/video for judging. Files can be sent by E-mail to cmc@clkd.ca
• March 18: Deadline for photos from participating businesses. You MUST submit a photo to compete for the Golden Sock Award. Files can be sent by E-mail to cmc@clkd.ca

March 21: World Down Syndrome Day!
 

• Voting for your favourite business window is OPEN until noon on the Kincardine Community Living website - www.clkd.ca – everyone is encouraged to vote!
• Business window and Golden Sock Award winner will be announced!
• Wear your most colourful, patterned and even mismatched socks in support of World Down Syndrome Day.
• Take your "Sock Selfies," post them to social media and E-mail them to cmc@clkd.ca so we can include them on our social channels.
• Use #WorldDownSyndromeDay #WDSD #WDSD2025 #LotsofSocks and join the global conversation!