The Winner of Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America Contest Is ...

The Pirate Carrying a Mermaid Optical Illusion has been named Patch's Halloween Costume in America. Its creator—and wearer—will receive a $5,000 prize for having the most creative and innovative costume.

Ashley Playford dressed up as a pirate carrying a mermaid this Halloween. Well, actually, she dressed up as the mermaid. Well ... her creativity has earned her the title of Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America and a $5,000 grand prize.   It was Playford's use of an optical illusion that won us over. Take a look at the photo she entered on Peekskill-Cortlandt Patch! Almost 4,000 Patch users entered the contest from Oct. 15 to Nov. 5, with costumes ranging from the Eiffel Tower and Honey Boo Boo to a flower pot and a clever interpretation of "binders full of women." National judges chose one finalist from each Patch state based on who had the most creative and innovative costume (we combined North Carolina and South Carolina for this …

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GALLERY: Middle School Oohs and Ahhs Over Decorated Staff Pumpkins

Staff at North Canton Middle School decorated pumpkins that resemble Frankenstein, Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and a "boo-ling" pin — just to name a few characters

North Canton Middle School staff got pretty wacky when asked to decorate a pumpkin for the first-ever Staff Pumpkin Decorating Raffle this year. Just look: The teachers, counselors and even Principal Margie McDougal concocted pumpkins that resemble Frankenstein, Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and a "boo-ling" pin.  Staff sold tickets (three for $1) during lunch this week and will wrap up the raffle today. Students will choose which pumpkin they'd like to win using the raffle tickets they bought this week. One ticket will be pulled for each decorated pumpkin this afternoon to determine the winner. North Canton Patch wants to thank librarian Julie Burley (yep, the same Patch reader who submitted photos of…

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Morgan Day

11:09 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012

I love that Jack Skellington pumpkin, Ashley. You did a great job. And the basket of fruit is pretty awesome, too.   more ›

The Best Halloween Songs Are...

Tell us your favorite Halloween songs and we'll create a Spotify playlist for your spooky party!

What songs come to mind when you think about Halloween and Halloween parties?  Maybe you like to get down to Michael Jackson's "Thriller," or Bobby "Borris" Pickett's "Monster Mash." Or maybe you enjoy the "X-Files" theme song. Whatever it is, Patch wants to know your favorite Halloween songs. We'll collect all your nominations and create a Spotify playlist to run on Friday morning — just in time for your costume parties. 

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Your Guide to Zombie Walks and Haunted Houses in Northeast Ohio

It's not really a Zombie Apocalypse, it's just a bunch of scary Halloween attractions in Northeast Ohio.

Do you remember your first haunted house? Do you remember that feeling of anxiety, wondering when the next scary thing was going to jump out at you? And of course, after it was over, you wanted to do it all over again, right? Here's another holiday round up of events, this time it's Zombie Walks and Haunted Houses. Each of these events sounds scarier than the next.  If we missed your event, please let us know. Email Patch Regional Editor Susan Patton with your terrifying details or include the information in the comment section and we'll add it to the list.  And if you take any photos of a zombie apocalypse, share it! HAUNTED HOUSE: Bloodview Haunted House in Broadview Heights features volunteer actors done up by some of the industry's …

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Your Guide to Haunted and Family Friendly Hay Rides in Northeast Ohio

Here's a roundup of hay rides in the area, most within an hour's drive.

In my neighborhood, Lake Farm Metropark's haunted hayride had become a rite of passage for the five little boys who lived next door. Each one had to be old enough to not get "too" scared to go. In the spirit of the season, we've put together a list of where you can enjoy hayrides -- family friendly and scary --  in Northeast Ohio.   Have we missed yours? Email Patch Regional Editor Susan Patton and we'll add it to the list.  And if you take any photos of your family or scary monsters at a hay ride, share it on this post! FAMILY FRIENDLY: At the Chalet Recreation Area in Cleveland Metroparks' Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville, tractor-drawn hayrides are offered October Saturday nights (Oct. 13, 20 and 27) from 6 to 10 p.m. and …

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Your Guide to Non-Traditional Trick-or-Treating

Get an extra night to trick-or-treat or collect different kinds of treats at these events and parties throughout Northeast Ohio.

Children can trick-or-treat beyond their neighborhoods. Check out these community events.  Have we missed yours? Email Patch Regional Editor Susan Patton and we'll add it to the list.  And if you take any adorable photos of your family at a trick or treating, share it on this post! Brecksville's Booville Halloween Party Oct. 28 1-4 p.m. at Blossom Hill Complex includes a costume contest and other activities for children.  Cleveland Heights Cedar-Lee Kids Candy Crawl is set for Oct. 25 from 4-8 p.m. Stop by Phoenix Coffee to carve pumpkins and then hit up the businesses listed on the event's Facebook page for traditional trick-or-treating.  The Strongsville Historical Society will host "Old-Fashioned Trick or Treat in the Village" from 3-4:…

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Your Guide to Fall Festivals: Apple Cider and Pumpkin Patches in Northeast Ohio

Here's a roundup of fall festivals in the area, most within an hour's drive.

Cider donuts and pumpkin picking are fall favorites. We've put together a list of where you can enjoy fall festivals in Northeast Ohio.   Have we missed yours? Email Patch Regional Editor Susan Patton and we'll add it to the list.  And if you take any adorable photos of your family at a fall festival, share it on this post! Strongsville Halloween Hullabaloo is an indoor event this year, set for 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center. Cost is $8 for ages 3 and up; $5 for kids 1-2; and free for under 1 year. SouthPark Mall  in Strongsville will have a Malloween Party and Scare Away Hunger Scavenger Hunt on Sunday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Westlake Fall Festival and Pumpkin Hunt is geared toward children ages 9 and …

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Your Guide to Corn Mazes: Have Fun Getting Lost in Northeast Ohio

Corn mazes are a fall farm tradition. Here's a roundup of corn mazes in the area, most within an hour's drive.

It's an annual tradition, getting lost in a corn maze and we've got a list of some of the best ones around.  Have we missed yours? Email Patch Regional Editor Susan Patton and we'll add it to the list.  And if you take any adorable photos of your family at a corn maze, share it on this post! Szalay's Famous Corn Maze, 4563 Riverview Rd. in Peninsula, through Oct. 31 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $5 admission, children under 3 years old are free.   One-acre corn maze at Pickering Hill Farms, 35669 Detroit Rd., Avon, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5. $1 admission, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.  Brasee's Corn Maze, 18421 State Route 58, Wellington, through Oct. 28, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Red Wagon Farm, 16801 E. River Rd. (…

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Teri Ashley

10:14 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012

I have been to Guyette Farms in Hiram my mom lives right down the street and I love their corn maze and so does my son. Thank you for adding this one to the list.   more ›

Halloween Activities for the Entire Family at the North Canton Public Library

Graveyard Rockers concert, Halloween parties, fall activity ideas and lots more coming up at the North Canton Public Library