Halloween
Decorating Contest
October 2025
As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, Stafford transforms into a haunted haven filled with spine-chilling decorations and eerie displays. From ghostly figures and creepy crawlies to jack-o'-lanterns and haunted houses, our community goes all out to celebrate the Halloween spirit.
This year, we’re thrilled to invite residents and businesses to participate in Stafford’s Halloween Decorating Contest! The concept is simple:
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Decorate your home or yard in your most imaginative (and frightful!) Halloween style.
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Register your home to be included in the competition.
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We’ll create a map showcasing all participating homes for the community to enjoy and "People's Choice" voting.
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Winners will be announced after judging, and your creativity could earn spooky bragging rights!
We can’t wait to see the eerie and enchanting displays our residents conjure up this Halloween season.
2025 Categories
Scariest House
Best Theme
People’s Choice
Important Dates
October 20:
Registration & photo submission deadline
October 21:
Decorations must be fully setup for judging
October 22 - 29:
People's Choice online voting begins
October 30:
Winners announced
Participant
Map
How to Use the Map:
Locate Participants: Find homes that are participating in the contest, symbolized by the purple ghost icons. Clock to view address and respective decoration photo.
Plan Your Route:
Enjoy a spooky stroll or drive to see the decorations.
Vote for Your Favorite:
Don’t forget to cast your vote for the People’s Choice award. Polls Open October 20th and will close at midnight on October 26th!
Competition Rules
To ensure a fair and enjoyable competition for everyone, please review and adhere to the following rules:
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Eligibility:
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Open to all residents of Stafford.
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Decorations must be displayed at a residential property within Stafford.
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Registration:
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All participants must register and submit a photo of their entry by October 20, 2025 using this registration link.
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Judging Period:
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Decorations must be fully set up and ready for judging by October 21.
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Ensure that all decorations are visible from the street for the judges and public to view.
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Categories:
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People’s Choice: is all about community engagement. The winner is determined by the number of online votes they receive on the Explore Stafford social media pages. It's a chance for everyone to have a say in which house they think stands out the most. Whether it's because of creativity, effort, or sheer visual appeal, the house with the most votes from the public will take home the title of People’s Choice.
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Scariest House: focused on the spine-chilling factor of the decorations. The house that causes the most thrills, chills, and scares will be crowned the winner. Judges will be looking for the home that best captures the eerie, spooky, and frightening elements of Halloween, making it the most terrifying experience for those who visit.
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Best Theme: consistency and creativity are key. The judges will be looking for a house that not only has a spectacular theme but also carries it through every detail of the decoration. From the front yard to the porch, the house should tell a cohesive story or represent a unified concept that impresses the judging panel with its originality and execution.
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People's Choice Voting:
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Voting will be open online from October 22-29, 2025, on the Explore Stafford CT Facebook Page
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Participants will vote via form link.
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Decorations:
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Decorations must be family-friendly and appropriate for all ages.
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No hazardous or offensive materials are allowed.
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Participants are responsible for the safety and security of their decorations.
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Announcement of Winners:
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Winners will be announced online via the Explore Stafford Webpage, Facebook, and Instagram page.
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Certificates will be awarded for People's Choice, Scariest House, and Best Theme..
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Compliance:
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Participants must comply with all local laws and regulations.
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Failure to adhere to the rules may result in disqualification from the competition.
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