Getting the Creeps in Northfield: The Village steps into the spooky fray

Northfield officials were committed to boosting the town’s Halloween spirit this year.

But the Village, which joined with the park district to launch a Halloween decorating contest, wasn’t all talk. It got in on the spooky fun.

Several village buildings — including the Village Hall/police station, public works facility and fire station — are all dressed up for the season in an effort spearheaded by first-year Village Manager Patrick Brennan.

“It was all Village Manager Patrick Brennan’s idea,” said Melissa Jewett, the Village’s director of administrative services. “… I was thrilled when he came up with the idea. I’m a big fan of holidays. He passed me the baton and I happily took it and ran with it.”

Make sure to read our other Getting the Creeps pieces — Skokie | Wilmette | Highland Park | Glencoe — all publishing before Halloween night.

Jewett worked with Alyssa Bahr, an administrative assistant with the village’s public works department, to build and execute a plan for the decorations, and then the public works team made it all happen.

Jewett said Bahr and public works employees were the “rockstars” of the project.

“It was a good idea but it’s nothing without execution… The public works guys put everything up and it looks awesome,” she said.

The police station features a large and spooky greeter for the season. The 20-foot tall inflatable skeleton perched above the entryway is on his best behavior, evidenced by his tophat and bow tie.

A spider web with some creepy crawlers runs the length of the building’s wall, as well.

On the other side of the building a 15-foot plastic skeleton welcomes visitors to Village Hall.

Similar frights can be found at the fire-rescue and public works building.

“People love it,” Jewett said. “I love walking across Willow Road in the morning and watching people wait and then see the skeleton right there, being kind of shook by it. It makes me giggle. It’s been nothing but great feedback.”

Speaking of feedback, the Village and park district are looking for yours to decide the winner of the inaugural Halloween decorating contest.

Photos of all 13 participating homes are posted in a gallery on the Village of Northfield’s Facebook page. Vote for your favorite by “Liking” the image of your favorite spooktacular display.

There have already been hundreds of votes, and the contest will remain open through Monday, Nov. 3, Jewett said.

You can also use the information in the gallery to plan out a route to view some of the best decorations in Northfield — just don’t forget Village Hall.

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