The village-wide decorating contest was the brainchild of Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy who said “the goal of the initiative was to “create a festive, family-friendly atmosphere that celebrates the beauty of autumn and the fun of Halloween.” Residents and business owners were encouraged to decorate their homes, yards and storefronts with pumpkins, lights, scarecrows and all things spooky and creative. 

To take part in the competition, residents and business owners had to have their decorations up by Oct. 15. Participants were then asked to snap a photo of their decorated home, yard or storefront and submit it online epohio.org/halloweentown. 

Submissions were reviewed and winners selected by council, Diaz-Guy and mayor Trent Conaway by majority vote and announced. Prizes include a $50 Amex Card, yard signs “for bragging rights” and a feature spotlight in the community newsletter and on social media.

Winners were awarded in four categories: overall council’s favorite, scariest, funniest and most creative out-of-the-box display.

Jessica Davis at E. Highland Ave. at Leake Street was named the “Scariest” winner of the first-annual East Palestine “Halloweentown” home decorating contest. (Submitted photo). 

The winners were:

– Overall, Jenna Catone,  E. Clark St. 

– Scariest, Jessica Davis, E. Highland Ave.

– Funniest, Connie Rager, Leake St.

– Most Creative, Dawn Baughman, E. Martin St.

Connie Rager at Leake Street was named the “Funniest” winner of the first-annual East Palestine “Halloweentown” home decorating contest. (Submitted photo). 

“Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun and helped make East Palestine a true Halloweentown,” the village said when announcing the winners. 

Dawn Baughman and her shipwrecked skeletons on East Main Street was named the “Most Creative” winner of the first-annual East Palestine “Halloweentown” home decorating contest. (Submitted photo)