Halloween Decorating: McLean County Contest Returns

This end-of-summer heat wave has me counting the days until Fall. I love when the leaves start to turn and the air gets nice and crispy. The air even smells different. It's one of my favorite things about living in Kentucky. There is no better way to set the scene for spooky season which is just around the corner. All of the scary decorations start to appear around town. I can't wait!

David Martin

I have a couple of boxes of Halloween decor, myself. My prized vintage Jack-o-lantern blow mold, some old school paper mache pumpkins and black cats, and a cute little spider I have hung in a living room doorway ever since I can remember. His name is Webster. Rollins loves putting him in his special spot now and welcoming him to join our shenanigans for the month of October.

David Martin

But my spooky season decor could never hold a candle to the magic that happens in McLean County for Halloween. My friend David Martin is a Halloween enthusiast whose setup has grown to be an amazing sight to see over the years. He and fellow McLean Countians Jessica Johnson and Rachel Jones Stringer are organizers of the 2023 McLean County Halloween Decorating Contest and they are looking for other festive friends and neighbors to join in the fun for a great cause.

David Martin/CANVA

After a hiatus last year, David is hoping folks will hit the ground running and make the community look special for Halloween. "Our goal is to spread the magic of Halloween by encouraging people to decorate around our county. The contest also doubles as a fundraiser for a different group each year." In the first year of the contest, proceeds were given to the McLean County Animal Shelter. This year, participants will be raising money to benefit the McLean County Band Boosters which support band students and directors at McLean County Middle School and High School.

CANVA

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Entry fees for the contest are $10 for homes and $25 for businesses. David said that In addition to the regular house & business decorating categories, they are adding a few smaller categories this year. Those include categories for decorating mailboxes, front doors/porches, and a Jack-o'-lantern category. "We learned after the first year that some people wanted to participate but didn't have decorations to go all out on their homes."

David Martin

They are also teaming up with the local McLean County Library to have a few events that will accompany the contest such as a costume contest. "We want to encourage people to not only decorate but to dress up!"

David Martin

Be sure to join the McLean County Halloween Decorating Contest Facebook group for more information about the contest and how to sign up. "I know it sounds cliche but we don't want Halloween to be a thing of the past. We want people to decorate so everyone can travel around our county and see how creative we can be."

David Martin