Maricopans are invited to dress up their homes for Mystery Mansion Mayhem this month for a chance at prizes. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

The city is recruiting participants for its annual Halloween-themed home-decorating contest.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAP

Tours: 6-9 p.m., Day, Oct. 27 to Tuesday, Oct. 31

Residents Choice Voting: Friday, Oct. 27 to Sunday, Oct. 29

Special Events and Marketing Manager Niesha Whitman said outdoor decorations must abide by HOA guidelines. Indoor entries billed as “Haunted Houses” are participants who compete with Halloween decorations inside their homes.

Entries in both categories are encouraged to be original and, of course, spooky, Whitman said. The city website will have a map of the home participants once registration has closed.

Outdoor decorations will be judged by the community Oct. 27-29 online. The winner of residents’ choice in the outdoor category will receive $250.

The Parks, Recreation and Library Committee along with the Youth Council will judge outdoor decorations and “haunted houses” Oct. 25 and 26 between 6 and 9 p.m. They will decide the top three winners:

Outdoor First Place: $250

Outdoor Second Place: $100

Outdoor Third Place: $75

Haunted House: $150

Entries will be judged on creativity, theme, lighting and overall execution.

Last year’s top prize in the outdoor category belonged to a home in Cobblestone Farms whose creative owners also took home the Haunted House prize.

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