In a lively celebration of Halloween, families residing at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, situated on Cuban soil, took part in a spirited home decoration competition. The event awarded prizes to the most imaginatively decorated homes and featured an evening of trick-or-treating across the various neighborhoods in the military installation.
The Housing Department of the base orchestrated the event, having announced the competition at the beginning of the month. Residents were encouraged to unleash their creativity and adorn their homes with spooky Halloween themes.
The invitation urged families to embellish their home exteriors, gardens, and front entrances with classic Halloween symbols like pumpkins, ghosts, and other spooky figures.
According to the guidelines set by the housing administration, participants were required to register by October 23 and have their decorations ready for judging starting October 26.
Judging and Awards
A panel of judges evaluated the decorated homes between October 26 and 30, using five criteria: creativity and originality, Halloween spirit, visual impact, effort and attention to detail, and the use of space in yards and homes.
Each category was worth up to 10 points, allowing for a total maximum score of 50.
Last Friday, the Naval Base revealed the winners after the judges selected the top three standout homes.
The first prize went to Villamar 65, awarding the residents a four-hour boat rental, excluding fuel costs. Grenadillo Circle 92A claimed second place, earning two hours of bowling for a group of four people. Caravella Point 2705 secured third place, receiving a gift card for an hour of play at the Rec Room recreation center.
Trick-or-Treating and Community Involvement
The base administration congratulated the winners and expressed gratitude to all residents who participated in the decoration event.
The Halloween spirit continued into Saturday with the traditional trick-or-treating, scheduled from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
An announcement was made that day informing all residential neighborhoods would be open for candy collection activities. Families willing to welcome visitors were instructed to keep their porch lights on, as trick-or-treaters would only approach homes that were well-lit.
Additionally, a humorous notification mentioned the appearance of full-sized chocolate bars in Deer Point and a supposed ghost handing out sweets in the area.
For any issues with porch lighting prior to the event, residents were advised to contact 855-462-8322.
The Guantanamo Bay Naval Base houses several residential communities intended for U.S. military personnel and their families, including Villamar, Caravella Point, Grenadillo Circle, and Deer Point. Besides operational facilities, the base offers various recreational services and community activities throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions about Halloween at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
What was the first prize in the Halloween decoration contest?
The first prize was a four-hour boat rental for the residents of Villamar 65, excluding fuel.
How were the homes judged in the contest?
Homes were judged on creativity and originality, Halloween spirit, visual impact, effort and attention to detail, and use of space, with each category valued at a maximum of 10 points.
What activities were planned for trick-or-treating?
Trick-or-treating took place between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, with all residential neighborhoods open for candy collection.