Record number participate in Mansion contest

Twenty-seven Maricopa residents spread cobwebs, planted tombstones, posed skeletons and did everything they could hoping to win the sixth annual Mysterious Mansion Mayhem contest put on by the city.

“We do look forward to this,” said Brenda Campbell, administrative assistant in the city’s community services department. “To have 27 houses participate is just wonderful.”

Monday night three cars of judges holding a dozen Youth Council members, Parks, Recreation and Library Advisory Board members and city staff, toured the homes and decided who would get bragging rights for first, second and third place.

“It’s a mixture of staff and community members,” Campbell said.

Judging the contest is definitely the “treat” part of Halloween for city staff.

“We do look forward to it,” Campbell said.

There’s also an Honorable Mention in the Haunted House category.

The judges are given a scorecard and asked to rank the house from one to five, with five being the highest ranking.

The categories include creativity – Campbell said that had to do with whether the homeowner used noncommercial decorations – theme, lighting and overall execution.

“It’s very subjective,” Campbell said. “We each give our own opinions. What I may think is really spooky someone else may think is (not).”

An added element in this year’s contest is that music is allowed.