Bellevue's Surrey Downs neighborhood is holding its first Halloween House Decorating Contest, with a 6-foot Talking Halloween Butler on the line for the winner.
The Surrey Downs Community Club announced the contest on Thursday, Oct. 8, inviting residents to go all out with their front-yard displays and then photograph their favorite decorated homes around the neighborhood. Photos are due by Thursday, Oct. 29, giving participants about three weeks to decorate and scout the competition.
Entering works like a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Residents decorate their own home, walk or drive the streets to spot the best displays, then snap a photo of their top pick. The club encouraged residents to break out pumpkins, cobwebs, skeletons, ghosts and lights.
Submissions can go to the club's Instagram account at @surrey.downs.bellevue or its Facebook page under Surrey Downs Community Club. Residents without social media can email photos to [email protected].
The club's board will pick the winner this year. In future years, the club said it plans to open judging to community voting.
The prize is a 6-foot Talking Halloween Butler for the winning household to display, along with what the club called Surrey Downs Halloween bragging rights. The club did not say when the winner would be announced.
This is the first year for the contest. The club, which describes itself as serving the neighborhood since 1962, said it sees the event as a starting point, with plans to grow the competition and add community-driven judging in future rounds.
Residents who want to enter can find full details on the club's website.
