Halloween small town issues....

**jvondra** · 10-10-2010,04:36 AM

Alright, I live in a small town in North Dakota. (No i'm not actually form ND) These last couple of years I totally go all out decorating, and generally spooking things up a bit. However....our town (as is ND in general) is pretty old school chirchy...and every year I get less and less Trick-or-Treaters'! There is a VFW group that puts on a little cutsie party for the kids and everyones invited, but that's about the ends of it. There's even a curfew of 9:00pm so no more fun after that!
Here's my idea. I know a couple of people who run our local Herald. It's no "The New Yourker" or anything, but all the locals subscribe...(guilty, my kids are always in it, gotta check every week lol) I was thinking about putting in an ad for a decorating contest....Kinda like some of the Christmas contests you see. Best spooku house, best Jack-o-Lantern etc...I am hoping that it will get people more into the spirit...so to speak.....any thoughts?

**Nightmare-Dude** · 10-10-2010,07:55 AM

I too live in a small town and only one lady in our whole neighborhood decorates her house for halloween and there are no TOTs. I like that spookiest house contest ad. Post the feedback when your done.

**Dark Lord Jovan** · 10-10-2010,08:05 AM

What a wonderful proactive idea! You could talk to some of your friends and neighbors beforehand so you have a few guaranteed contestants. Even if its only people you know doing it the first year, If you have the contest every year you might get something really great started. Good luck!!

**HellsKitchenette** · 10-10-2010,11:23 AM

That's a great idea!

**TheEighthPlague** · 10-10-2010,11:27 AM

You could try my idea:

A Hallowe'en Pledge

**Haunty** · 10-10-2010,11:59 AM

Sounds like a good idea.
In the off season you could host a make & take haunt prop building. By doing small things like this... will potentially convert more of the town to the Halloween side.