Colleen Walsh plans, once again, to give hundreds of her closest friends a few good fright nights this Halloween season.
The Somers Boulevard resident has for a couple years decorated her front lawn with scary clowns, freakish dolls, angry circus creatures and anything else that promises to raise the hair on the back of someone's neck. The display has become so large that now it spills onto her neighbours' lawns.
They've also added a dunk tank and food truck that offers sweet treats. In 2022, the display collected $1,000 and 450 pounds of items for the Innisfil Food Bank.
This year, the display is back and in full effect Oct. 27, 28 and 31 from 6 to 9 p.m.
"It was just an idea my nephew had; we all dress as clowns … Friday and Saturday and Halloween," she said. "I have four kids, all under the age of 10. I love Halloween. It just kind of steamrolled from there. We get to involve everybody. It brings everybody together. You get to meet your neighbours."
Walsh's display will be one of about 25 competing in the fourth annual Innisfil House Decorating Contest. Organized by Coun. Jennifer Richardson, the contest map is now available, with judging open from Oct. 27 to 28. Residents are encouraged to visit each site and vote for their favourite decorators.
Winners will be selected by local dignitaries and through online "favourite house" and "scariest house" categories and announced on Oct. 29 at 9:30 p.m. There will also be door prizes.
"It brings a lot of really cool community spirit," Richardson said.
Residents can still sign up to decorate. The contest entry fee is a minimum $10 donation, with proceeds split between the food bank and the Christmas for Kids program.
Last year, the contest raised more than $800.
The contest started in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses were shuttered, most indoor events were cancelled and residents were looking for something to do.
"The first year, the streets were packed," Richardson said. "It was so cool driving around the first year. It's slowly gotten to be less and less (participation) because people are busy and things are back to normal."
For more information, or the route map, visit the contest's Facebook page. You can also call Richardson for further details at 905-716-2339.
