The Observation Deck

Top winner will receive his choice of $100 in Gift Certificates from Woodstock BBQ, India Garden, West End Tavern, and The Root Café.
The others will be winning dinner for two from Woodstock BBQ, India Garden, West End Tavern, and The Root Café.


The top vote earner by far was this house on Lewis Drive. This house is a classic example of Lakewood over the top in a small yard, and how to embrace it.

While many homes throw a lot out there, very few have a theme or it so planned out. Also this house has never won before.

Second is this house. While it had very little in the yard, it did have 4-Skeletons spelling out OHIO, always a favorite in a OSU rich environment.


Third on our list was an old time favorite back near the top.

On Elbur this house always pays tribute to old style both in Halloween and Christmas.

Fourth was this house on Lake, in my opinion judging by the notes, the squirrels won everyone over the dragon.


Now for the first time we have a tie for 5-9. It is pretty wild considering the votes cast.


Fifth Tied is the spider house on Giel and Merl. Last year's winner.


Fifth Tied this house on Archdale. We have seen this house grow each year. 2021 saw it all come together. From the pillars to the pumpkin carving!


Fifth Tied, Skeletons climbing homes was a major theme, this house did it as well as anyone.

Fifth Tied, This major display seemed to please many.



Fifth Tied. Another all over winner made the top ten.


Tenth the Pirate house on Cannon.

Honorable mentions, just out of the top 10...











If you finished in the top ten, please contact production@lakewoodobserver.com so that we can arrange a time to drop off your prize!

Thank you to everyone out there that took part. It has been an incredible ride watching this develop, and Lakewood transforming into Spookywood. After all just like Foodwood, we have found it is far easier to get spooked in Lakewood than touch Lake Erie.

See everyone December 1, when we start this all over again for best Christmas/Holiday/Whatever Decorations!

peace/love

A note to all.

This contest was started as a way to thanks to as many of the people as we could for taking the time to decorate their homes and yards for Halloween and Lakewood.

If you think you should have won, or placed higher, you need to do these things, and it is easy.

Also remember this for the Christmas Lights Contest:

FIRST - Make sure you are nominated. It takes seconds and can be done through many sources all published. There is no cost and you will not be contacted unless you win, or there is an issue with the submission. It only takes one nomination, not hundreds. Save your energy for later. Nominations are recorded by people sending in addresses and LO staff going out. OR, people sending in images, PLEASE TRY TO SEND ADDRESS.

SECOND - Cutting through the sheer number of entries. For the past three years Christmas Light Contest has pulled in 200-300 entries. This year Halloween again went past 200, while this is a great success it makes it very hard to find the top. So when we have the nominations for top 25, make sure you tell your friends and share the link. There are Facebook, Twiter and other posting links at the bottom of every post. It also pays to work your network.

THIRD - When the final vote comes, now is the time to bring it. Each year we hone the rules and change up the voting, This year we only had final voting for 15 hours, and still the votes poured in. So once again, share the link and the information. Unlike other sites there will be no pop-ups, no ads, no one being asked to sign up for anything. This is all about thanking those who work to make Lakewood a little more fun, and the stupid fun that flows out of it.

As I was driving home last night, I saw a house on Grace, just four house from a finalist that I think could have won the whole thing. They were not nominated. Halloween night I saw one of our favorite two homes setting up for trick-or-treaters but nothing leading up to it. I hate that we missed these this year, but you have to have cut off at some point.

This year for a change we concentrated on Daytime as the past 5 years nighttime seemed to leave out some of the best work. Next year perhaps we can try to do both day and night, or figure out a way to make it more equitable to all.

But again this is not rocket surgery, more like stupid fun.

Thanks again.