By MADDY VITALE
Trick-or-treaters in Ocean City will have plenty of ghoulish, frightful sights to gaze upon when parading around in their favorite costumes on Halloween.
Residents displayed their spook-tacular spirits in the city’s first Halloween House Decorating Contest. A list of winning entries is posted at www.ocnj.us/halloween.
Michael Hartman, the city’s Special Events Coordinator, said it was tricky to select the top homes and businesses, since so many people got into the holiday spirit. Judging took place this week. Judges looked for overall creativity in decorating, special effects, lighting, and theme.
Hartman said the Wilson family home in the First Ward at 500 Battersea took First Place Overall Winner for several reasons.
“They won because their entire family was involved. They were all in costume and acting out characters. They were all over the yard and porch,” Hartman said. “It was very cool, and to see the family involved together was very Ocean City.”
Hartman, along with Miss Ocean City Mary Grace Jamison, delivered winning signs to the lucky winners.
The contest awarded prizes for the top homes in each of Ocean City’s four wards and in a commercial division. Winners in each ward received a $50 gift certificate to the downtown businesses and a prize package from the city and the Chamber of Commerce.
The first place winner in the Business Division was Hearth and Sole, 636 Asbury Avenue. Hearth and Sole received a free membership to the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce or free email blasts.
Bob Wilson and his wife, Jessica, and their daughters, Payton, 10, Piper, 6, dressed as zombies for the holiday display that won the top prize overall.
When Hartman knocked on the Wilsons’ door and told them the good news, Bob Wilson said his family was so excited.
The Wilsons received the grand prize of a $100 gift certificate to shop in the downtown and a prize package from the city and the Chamber of Commerce.
“We were so psyched. We knew we decorated well, but we were excited to find out we won. I am off on vacation this week and Mike Hartman knocked on the door and said congratulations. My kids were ecstatic,” Wilson said.
Wilson said every year his family gets into the Halloween spirit and decks out their home and themselves to put on a show for trick-or-treaters.
“So many kids come to the house. Sometimes we get 300 trick-or-treaters. It is pandemonium. Everyone has so much fun,” he noted.
Wilson added that his kids are torn every year between helping him pass out candy and going trick-or-treating.
This year their spooky home featured a graveyard, haunted trees, and an array of decorations to create the scary but kid-friendly theme.
Wilson said they have lived in Ocean City since 2008 and this was the first time he could recall a Halloween house decorating contest.
“I think it was really nice that the city offered the contest this year,” he said. “We have a lot of year-round residents and with the parade being canceled because of the pandemic this was a really cool thing to offer.”
First Ward first place winner went to the Kazanjian family at 65 Central Ave. for their “Haunted Halloween” themed display.
Second Ward winner went to the Carroll family at 845 Pelham Place for “Batty Catty and Friends.”
The Third Ward’s Kampmeyer and Driscoll families at 2321 Simpson Avenue went with “Halloween!” for their winning display.
Fourth Ward first place winner went to the Dattilo family at 217 Victoria Lane, also with a “Halloween!” theme.
The Janto family at 19 Kingston Lane in the Third Ward were delighted with their third place win.
Kerri Janto said her kids had a blast decorating. Their winning theme was “Kid Decorated House With Giant Spider Web.”
“We were excited to participate in the Halloween house decorating contest,” Janto said. “During this crazy year it gave us a fun, safe thing to do at home. My nine and 12-year-old kids made decorations to display in their windows in addition to other decorations we had up. They were so excited to learn they came in third place in our area and won prizes. Hopefully, Ocean City will continue this new tradition each year.”
