1st Annual "Spooky Showdown" Decorating Contest Promises Fright And Delight

Young Professionals of Parma (YPOP) is known for our festive Holiday Lights Contest that celebrates the Christmas and holiday season, but something new is brewing for 2023.

Get ready for spine-chilling thrills and hauntingly creative displays as Parma’s neighborhoods become a battleground of Halloween décor! The “Spooky Showdown” Halloween House Decorating Contest invites all brave and imaginative residents to join in this epic Halloween house decorating extravaganza! 

The first annual “Spooky Showdown” follows a similar format to the Holiday Lights Contest with a couple new twists. Like the Christmas competition, homeowners are encouraged to submit photos or video of their home via email (deadline Sunday, October 22). The entries will be narrowed down to a top 10, and then members of YPOP will judge the homes in person (taking place Thursday, October 26). 

Winners will receive a plaque and a gift card, however this year, we recognize that not all Halloween displays are the same. Some feature eerily haunted houses with very scary ghosts, clowns, and more. Some are over the top Halloween with a family friendly vibe. While others celebrate the fall harvest time with pumpkins, corn husks, and hay bales. Therefore, for this new contest, we’re judging homes based on overall use of a theme. Full contest judging criteria is below.  

Additionally, we have some new partners we’re excited to work with. The City of Parma and community organization We Are Parma Proud join us as co-presenters of the event and local company Sgt. Clean Car Wash is our lead sponsor of the contest. 

We encourage you to enter or share the contest with any Parma resident with a festive outdoor Halloween display.

HOW TO ENTER

Participation is open to all City of Parma residents. The goal is to build community connections through friendly competition while also making Parma a decoration destination.

Entry is free. Send photos or a video of your display with your name and address to Halloween@ParmaYPs.com by Sunday, October 15. Please mention in the email whether you would like your display judged during the day or night. 

Ten finalists will be selected among those initial entries. Members of Young Professionals of Parma will review finalists in person on a bus tour taking place Thursday, October 19. The four winning entries will be announced shortly thereafter. If you are interested in helping with judging and are not currently a member, consider joining at parmayps.com/membership. 

SCORING

Judges will use the following scoring criteria when judging homes on October 19th. If you are a finalist, please make sure all lights and decorations are on and operating. Homes will be judged on coverage, showmanship, and use of theme.

Coverage

This scores how well the homeowners have covered their house/yard with lights and decorations. 

Showmanship

This scores the wow factor of the display. Blinking or flashing lights and items that move or change, or music are some examples. This can also be anything that took obvious forethought and planning. This is about the owner’s level of creativity and thinking outside of the box, while still maintaining a Halloween/Autumn feel.

Use of Theme:

Pumpkin House – Kid Friendly Display. Not-so-scary Halloween decor.

Harvest House – Fall Display. Are they less horror & more harvest? Think flannel, pumpkins, leaves, scarecrows … classic & cute!

Haunted House – Scary Display. What do you fear when you’re alone in the dark? Blood, gore and horror? Creepy clowns, haunting ghosts, cemeteries? This theme sends a shiver up your spine!  

PRIZES

Each winner will receive a gift card and a plaque.

Theme Winners (3)
$50 Gift Card
(One winner per theme)

Overall Winner
$100 Gift Card
(Excels in all three judging categories) 

For questions about the contest, contact hello@parmayps.com. Get ready for a hair-raising and spine-chilling event like no other!