The Parma Spooky Showdown Decorating Contest Is Back!

Get ready for spine-chilling thrills and hauntingly creative displays as Parma’s neighborhoods become a battleground of Halloween décor! The Spooky Showdown invites all brave and imaginative City of Parma residents to join in this epic Halloween house decorating extravaganza! Get ready for a hair-raising event like no other — the Spooky Showdown Halloween House Decorating Contest!

In partnership with We Are Parma Proud and the City of Parma, the Spooky Showdown is presented by Young Professionals of Parma (YPOP). With more than eight years of experience hosting these types of decorating contests, YPOP feels qualified to put on a fair and fun competition for Parma residents. They have hosted the Christmas-focused Holiday Lights Contest since 2016 and introduced Spooky Showdown last year. 

In its second year, YPOP is making a few improvements to the contest. They have decided to narrow the applicants down to a top 8 rather than a top 10 to buy more time for judging in person. YPOP judges will get off the bus this year and interact with the displays. Last year, some of the displays wrapped around to backyards and had walk-through and interactive elements that couldn't be effectively judged from inside the bus. YPOP feels that getting off the bus will be a fairer way to judge the displays, and having a top 8 will allow enough time to do so. Additionally, YPOP has simplified the winner's categories to first, second, and third place as opposed to last year's theme categories. They have also added a People's Choice award that will be decided based on the number of Facebook "Likes."

Scoring

Judges will use the following scoring criteria when judging homes on October 24th. Homes will be judged on coverage, showmanship, and aesthetics. 

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, 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.

Aesthetics: This incorporates organization and attention to detail. How neatly placed are all of those lights and decorations?

Prizes

1st Place: $100 Gift Card & Plaque

2nd Place: $75 Gift Card & Plaque

3rd Place: $50 Gift Card & Plaque

People’s Choice (Based on Facebook Likes): $25 Gift Card

How do you apply for the Spooky Showdown Decorating Contest?

Entries are due by Sunday, October 20th by submitting an online form that can be found on the YPOP website (www.ParmaYPs.com). Participation is open to all City of Parma residents.

For questions, contact YPOP at hello@ParmaYPs.com.

Happy Decorating! 

Jackie Baraona

Jackie Baraona has been a Parma resident for 10 years. In 2016, she founded Young Professionals of Parma, an organization that aims to strengthen the community of Parma through networking, activism, and local pride by getting YPs actively engaged in their community. The majority of Jackie's professional career has been spent at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association where she is the Creative Manager. Jackie can be reached at jackie.baraona@gmail.com.

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Volume 16, Issue 10, Posted 10:44 AM, 10.01.2024