Whether you are planning to dress as a goblin or ghoul, The Sampson Independent has the perfect idea for this Halloween.
Just in time for the beginning of the holiday season, the Independent and its key advertising sponsors are hosting a virtual costume party and they are inviting everyone to join the spooktacular fun. The contest begins Friday.
The Virtual Costume Party is a great way to get the community involved and businesses giving back. The winner of the contest will receive a $100 grand prize, sponsored by Ford of Clinton, the contest’s title sponsor.
Community involvement and the children are exactly why Larry McPhail of Ford of Clinton said the company sponsors the contest.
“We like to support stuff in the community that involves the children,” McPhail said. “We support children and the community.”
McPhail said the contest is a great avenue for children to get involved and be a part of what is going on in the community.
“I like seeing the smile on their faces,” the contest sponsor added.
Similar to the Cutest Kids and Cutest Pets contest held earlier this year by The Sampson Independent, $50 prizes will be awarded to the winners of four other categories, which include, cutest costume, funniest costume, most unique costume, and a new category this year, best Disney or cartoon character.
Clinton Appliance will be sponsoring the cutest costume contest, and for owner Dwight Horne, he’s already smiling when thinking about the costume options available.
“I would encourage everyone to think outside the box and come up with something we haven’t seen,” Horne said.
Horne, who said it’s about the children, admitted he and his employees became involved and decided to be a sponsor in the contest because it’s a good thing for the children. “It gets them involved.”
Matthews Health Mart is sponsoring the funniest costume contest, Piggly Wiggly is sponsoring the most unique contest and Gotta Dance Arts Center will be sponsoring the best Disney or character costume.
According to Jim Matthews, owner of Matthews Health Mart, he got involved with the contest because it’s something that involves the community.
“This is a fun time of year,” Matthews said. “The contest is a great way to let people express themselves and add something fun to life.”
Winners are chosen by online visitors who will be allowed to cast votes — one per day — for those pictured in their cutest, funniest, most original or character costumes. Voting begins on Nov. 7 and continues until Nov. 15, and winners will be announced the following week.
Submissions for the contest will begin being accepted Oct. 23. and continue until the end of voting. This change was made in a effort to get more participation in the contest and get the community involved.
Just like with other SI contests, participants — whether entering, voting or viewing — must have a valid email address, which must be listed as they fill out the online form.
Like in years past, to submit, visit www.clintonnc.com, click on the contest logo and follow the steps to upload the photo and enter.
All of it is made simple, assured Sherry Matthews, editor and publisher of The Sampson Independent, to encourage participation. The contest is all about community involvement.
“We don’t want this to be difficult; we want it to be easy and fun, which it should be,” she said.
Matthews offered thanks to the advertising sponsors for their participation and belief in the fun and advantages of the online contest, and urged residents to frequent those businesses and offer their thanks as well.
“Without our advertising partners, these contests, which so many love, simply wouldn’t be possible. I hope others will support them the way they support this community and these projects,” Matthews stressed.
The main draw of the contest — other than the obvious costume competition itself — is the opportunity to begin promoting the start of what businesses hope will be a very good holiday sales season.
