Holiday decorations attract interest and amusement, but Halloween in Sycamore may attract more attention than usual because the second annual Spirits of Sycamore decorating contest is underway.

Rich Para, manager of Sweet Earth Jewelry and Gifts, 341 W. State St., said they were part of the contest last year, as a part of community tradition.

“It’s a good feeling to participate in this community activity.” Para said.

The contest is open to businesses and homeowners who wish to show off their holiday spirit and spook their neighbors. Residents and business owners wanting to participate can register their locations by printing a registration form from Discover Sycamore’s blog, discoversycamore.wordpress.com.

The forms can then be mailed or dropped off at the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, 407 W. State St. Suite 10, along with a $10 registration fee by Oct. 13. Registered locations can then be included on this year’s Monster Map.

Megan Yockey, director of Discover Sycamore, said there are no restrictions for the contest; however, if decorations on registered locations are offensive, they will be removed from the map.

“Some are really scary, and some are more fall-ish,” Yockey said.

Maps and ballots will be made available for those who want to vote for a potential contest winner at Discover Sycamore member businesses. An extensive list of these establishments can be found at www.discoversycamore.com.

“The idea is to get people into our member businesses,” Yockey said.

Para said this helps support the community by getting people to come downtown not only to get their maps and ballots, but also to see the decorations.

“We try to attract people in any way possible,” Para said. “We don’t have a real scary window, but it’s decorated to show our products and what we carry.”

Michelle Schultz, manager of Kar-Fre Flowers, 1126 E. State St., said people enter the store around this time because of the decorating contest.

“There is a percentage of people who come just because I have [maps and ballots] here,” Schultz said.

After obtaining their Monster Maps and ballots, voters can visit each registered location and vote for which decorations they liked best. Ballots and maps can then be returned to Discover Sycamore member businesses.

“Last year, we had around 100 votes,” Yockey said. “We are hoping to have triple that this year.”

Last year’s winner, a Sycamore resident, received a prize cauldron of various items donated by local businesses. This year, Yockey said the contest winner will receive a $100 gift certificate in “Chamber bucks” which can be used at member businesses.

Visit Discover Sycamore’s Web site or blog, or call 815-895-3456 for more information on the Spirits of Sycamore decoration contest.

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