Who has Berea’s best Halloween display? Boo! Battle returns with cash prizes, citywide tour

NewsBerea homes and businesses can compete for cash prizes and trophies in the 2026 Boo! Battle Halloween Decorating Competition, with registration open through Oct. 9.Maura ZurickBEREA, Ohio — How seriously does Berea take Halloween decorating? Enough to put cash, trophies and bragging rights on the line.The Berea Chamber of Commerce’s annual Boo! Battle is returning this October, pitting decorated homes and businesses against one another before residents get the final say on the city’s favorites.The free competition is open to homes and businesses within Berea, with registration continuing through 5 p.m. Oct. 9. Boo! Battle is presented by Beetles Plumbing Solutions.Entrants must submit a photo showing their full completed display to the chamber by the deadline. A panel of judges will review the entries and select the finalists that advance to the public voting round. Those finalists will become stops on the Boo! Battle Driving Tour, giving residents a chance to cruise around Berea, check out the decorations and decide which displays deserve the top spots.The chamber plans to release the driving map by 6 p.m. Oct. 10, when public voting also begins. Residents can cast their votes online through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 28.And for the displays that come out on top, the competition comes with some extra Halloween treats.First place comes with a $200 prize, while second place will receive $100 and third place will receive $50. Each of the three winners will also receive a Halloween-themed trophy.There is no required theme for the competition, leaving participants free to decide whether their displays are creepy, creative, over-the-top or a little bit of everything.All displays must be decorated and ready for the start of public voting Oct. 10.The chamber is also encouraging residents who know a neighbor or local business famous for going all out for Halloween to convince them to get in on the competition.Registration is available through the Berea Chamber of Commerce website.