Calling all spooky gals and ghouls! Once again it’s time for the Hope community to display their scary-best for the annual Halloween Home Decorating contest. Breezing back into town for October, the contest welcomes all submissions from homeowners and business owners.
“It’s a fun community event and it’s free for people to enjoy and sign-up for,” said Sarah Preson, the owner of Kerfuffle Creations and organizer for this year’s contest. “There’s not a lot you can do when the weather starts to change. And this is for the Hope community and the surrounding areas. Silver Creek is part of it, and Sunshine Valley is part of it. So, if you decorate, or you love Halloween, or you love to decorate, and you want to combine the two, enter the contest because it’s fun.
“And on Halloween night, make sure if you’ve decorated that you’ve got the candy because people will show up. It becomes huge. Last year, we had record breaking numbers at the houses that decorated. The reports I got back were, you know, anywhere between 200 and 400 kids.”
Until Oct. 20, homes and businesses wishing to participate in the annual “Spooktacular” decorating event can sign up by visiting the Hope Community Spooktacular Facebook page. Once on the page, participants can send in a message with their name, phone number, and address.
The contest’s judges have already been chosen. And an online poll will be available later for people to vote for their favourite home and business.
Participants will once again be able to enter multiple categories including: People’s Choice — House, People’s Choice —Business, Fantastic front entry — House, Halloween Spirit — House, Scariest — House, Wow Factor — House, and Judges Favourite — House.
Winners will be announced at the “witching hour” of Halloween and will receive a prize for their efforts. This year, a spook-tastic trophy in the shape of a hand, which was created by R&L Designs, will be given to winners. Prizes have also been donated, so far, by Erica Press.
First run in the early 2000s by former Hope Councillor Crystal Sedore, the contest went on hiatus due to waning interest and COVID-19 lock-down. Last year, the contest made it’s grand return to Hope with plenty of homes and businesses signing up for the event.
As of Oct. 8, four places have signed up for the competition. Once submissions are all in, addresses will be online and people can view houses before event.
“The more food costs, and the harder times get, the more these little events mean to people. Because it’s something to do as a family,” Preson said. “You can just go and look, you can drive around. And then on Halloween night, you can start a plan where you’re going to go trick or treating, according to these houses.
“So, if you’ve got about a week before Halloween, where you’re looking for something fun to do with the family, go to the addresses (that signed up). These people put their heart and soul, and, bank books into decorating. And it’s fun and something for people to enjoy.”
