Downtown Santa Barbara Dresses Up for Halloween
Release Date: October 23,2014
SANTA BARBARA, CA – On October 22nd members of Downtown Santa Barbara’s Décor Committee haunted the streets of Downtown and judged more than a dozen businesses signed up to participate in the annual Halloween Window Display Contest. With a short pause to enjoy a “Thriller” flash mob performance, the judges walked along nine blocks of State Street and some side streets to find the most haunted locations of them all. And the winners are:
1st Place: Arlington Theatre (1317 State) - Dubbed “A Must See,” in the cramped yet historic Arlington ticket booth, lights, sounds, music and movement all worked to clinch these haunted “ticket takers” the top prize.
2nd Place: Wildcat Lounge (15 W. Ortega) – This homage to Vincent Price is made even creepier by the seemingly innocent (or maybe not so much) X-rays adorning the window.
3rd Place: Renaissance Fine Consignment (1118 State) – Gorgeous outfits displayed in the window on eerie pumpkin-head mannequins. The judges also appreciated the creative use of space outside the display window.
Ghost Award: Unity Shoppe (1219 State) – Lovely vintage pieces, until you notice the head in the glass ball, the spiders in the caldron and the innocent yet macabre display of “family” photos that seem just a bit…off.
Many businesses decorated in anticipation of Downtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat on Friday, October 31st (3-6pm) where businesses welcome hundreds of costumed children with treats, stickers, coupons or other goodies. With more than 70 participating locations, Downtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat provides a fun and accessible environment for children in the community. Children must be in costumes and must bring their own goodie bag to fill at participating businesses (from Micheltorena to Gutierrez and along the side streets) that display a “Trick-or-Treat HERE” sign, along with orange and black balloons.
Downtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat and the Window Display Contest 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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