Downtown Santa Barbara Halloween Décor Winners

On a not-so-chilly October evening, members of Downtown Santa Barbara’s Décor Committee judged two dozen businesses participating in the annual Halloween Window Décor Contest. With a wealth of horror from which to choose, the committee wrestled to narrow the field down to the top three locations, as well as a runner-up award.

 

Along with a monetary award for the first three places, each winning location received two tickets to an upcoming performance at The New Vic, courtesy ofEnsemble Theatre Company (ETC).

 

1st Place, Most Creative Award goes to Santa Barbara Public Library (40 E. Anapamu): Library staff created a thrilling live-action tableau with Dr. Frankenstein herself on hand to piece together Frankenstein’s monster, wielding a bloody heart. An electrifying entry as well as a brilliant promotion of the current SB Reads book, “Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelley.

 

2nd Place, Most Theme-Oriented Award goes to The Palace Grill (8 E. Cota): This window’s hand-painted Voodoo theme didn’t seem to faze diners inside the beloved Cajun eatery, but if you’re walking by the big window adorned with ghouls and skeletons…be careful of a greegree (a curse or spell put on someone).

3rd Place, Scariest Award goes to The Barber Shop & Victorian Salon (1233 State), for its most Sweeney Todd-inspired use of barber instruments, in a not-good-but-really-scary way.

 

Runner-Up, Best Neighboooo’hood Collaboration Award goes to Lovebird Boutique & Jewelry Bar (535 State). In celebration of Halloween, they replaced our mannequins with skeletons. “This idea appeals to us because we want to support business downtown,” said Jennifer Scarbrough, owner of Lovebird, “We can help revitalize State Street while having a good time.”   

Many businesses decorated in anticipation of Downtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat on Wednesday, October 31st (3-6pm), welcoming hundreds of costumed children with treats, stickers, coupons or other goodies. Children must be in costumes, goodie bag in hand, to haunt more than 80 participating businesses (from Micheltorena to Gutierrez and along the side streets) that display a “Trick-or-Treat HERE” sign with a batch of Halloween-y balloons. 

 

The Downtown Santa Barbara Window Display Contest and Downtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat are sponsored by Downtown Santa Barbara and are FREE to the community and participating businesses. For more information, call 962.2098 x800 or visit www.DowntownSB.org.

 

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Downtown Santa Barbara serves as the champion and advocate for the merchants and property owners of the downtown district in Santa Barbara, California, with more than 1400 members. DSB represents a vibrant, authentic downtown core that celebrates itself as an urban community and an internationally known destination. It also manages the Downtown Santa Barbara Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), providing enhanced services to make Downtown Santa Barbara a more vibrant place for visitors, investors, and residents. Major programs, activities and events sponsored by Downtown Santa Barbara include the Downtown Holiday Parade, the Downtown LIVE Art & Wine Tour, the decorative State Street Flag Program, and 1st Thursday. Like us on Facebook (Downtown Santa Barbara) and follow us on Instagram (@DowntownSantaBarbara) for the latest info on events, promotions and downtown information.