Ah, the Catskills Halloween Vendor and Oddities Market! A veritable carnival of curiosities, where the bizarre meets the beautiful, and the eerie intertwines with the enchanting. Among the many spectacles that await, the costume contest stands as a beacon of creativity and eccentricity, drawing participants from far and wide to showcase their most imaginative ensembles.
Picture this: the Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, New York, transformed into a Halloween haven. The air is crisp with the scent of autumn leaves and pumpkin spice, and the grounds are alive with the chatter of excited attendees, each one more fantastically dressed than the last. The costume contest is the highlight of the weekend, a grand parade of ghouls, goblins, and everything in between.
Participants begin to gather early, each one hoping to catch the eye of the judges and the crowd. The categories are as diverse as the costumes themselves: Best Steampunk, Most Creative, Scariest, Best Group Costume, and even a special category for the little monsters. The judges, a panel of local artists, vendors, and Halloween aficionados, take their places, ready to be dazzled by the parade of costumes.
As the contest begins, the atmosphere is electric. First up, the Steampunk category. Here, gears and goggles reign supreme. One contestant, dressed as a Victorian-era airship captain, complete with a mechanical arm and a jetpack, struts confidently across the stage. Another, a clockwork automaton with intricate brass detailing, moves with a precision that is both mesmerizing and slightly unsettling. The crowd cheers, and the judges scribble notes furiously.
Next, the Most Creative category. This is where the truly unique costumes come to life. A duo dressed as a haunted carousel, complete with spinning horses and eerie music, takes the stage to thunderous applause. Another contestant, dressed as a living forest, with branches and leaves that seem to grow and move, captivates the audience with their ethereal presence. The creativity on display is nothing short of astounding.
The Scariest category brings a chill to the air. A contestant dressed as a grotesque, blood-soaked surgeon, wielding a menacing scalpel, sends shivers down the spines of even the bravest attendees. Another, a spectral bride with a veil that seems to float on its own, glides eerily across the stage, leaving a trail of cold air in her wake. The judges, visibly unnerved, make their selections with trembling hands.
The Best Group Costume category is a riot of color and coordination. A family dressed as a troupe of circus performers, complete with a ringmaster, acrobats, and a lion tamer, delights the crowd with their synchronized routine. Another group, a band of pirates with a fully rigged ship on wheels, sails across the stage to raucous cheers. The camaraderie and effort put into these group costumes are truly heartwarming.
Finally, the Little Monsters category. The smallest contestants, dressed as everything from tiny witches to miniature zombies, steal the show with their adorable antics. One little vampire, complete with a cape and fangs, gives a dramatic bow that earns a standing ovation. Another, a pint-sized Frankenstein, stomps across the stage with a seriousness that is both hilarious and endearing.
As the contest draws to a close, the judges deliberate. The winners are announced to much fanfare, each one receiving a prize from the event’s vendors, ranging from handcrafted jewelry to unique oddities. But in truth, every participant is a winner, having contributed to the magic and wonder of the event.
The Catskills Halloween Vendor and Oddities Market costume contest is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the spirit of Halloween. Whether you’re a seasoned cosplayer or a first-time participant, the contest offers a chance to step into another world, if only for a moment, and to share that world with others. So don your finest costume, embrace the strange and the spooky, and join the fun. After all, in the words of Jack Skellington, “This is Halloween, everybody make a scene!” 🎃