Community Votes for Three Winners in 11th Annual Creep Your Crypt Contest

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The votes are in and three winners have been selected by the community in the Palisadian-Post’s 11th annual Creep Your Crypt Halloween home decorating contest—with prizes going to homes spanning from The Highlands to The Huntington.

Taking home the prize for Creepiest Crypt was the Brewer family—led by 13-year-old decorator Mehana—in The Huntington (#12 on this year’s ballot).

“I was really happy,” said Mehana, who has lived in the Palisades her whole life, of the win. “It felt incredible. This is the third year that I have tried to win, and I put my all into it. I was really hoping we would win this year, and I am really happy we won.”

The Brewer family has generations of roots, dating back to Mehana’s great-grandparents, Rob and Barbara Klein, who moved to the area in 1942.

Mehana said that she spent “a lot of time making the decorations,” that it was “cool to see” her idea come to life. One of the key elements was a handmade corpse decoration in the front, which Mehana said “seemed to scare many people” who came to the house or walked by.

She received some help from her sister, as well as Annabella and Annaya Drysdale, who helped put “a lot of the decorations up.”

When it comes to Best Theme, Cali Ben-Victor (this year’s final entry at #17) was awarded the prize for her Highlands home.

“After moving into the Highlands, we were instantly inspired by our neighbor, Randy Nonberg,” Cali said. “Every year he has brought so much joy to my daughters’ face by going all out with his spectacular decorations.”

The decorations were a family effort, Cali explained, with husband Paul and daughter Arabella helping “right up until the first trick-or-treater” arrived. She said they had “so much fun” planning everything out and sharing in the community excitement.

“My favorite decorations are the ones that come together to create a cohesive experience,” the three-year resident of the Palisades said. “Last year, we purchased a graveyard set from a Sony Studios auction, and it’s been exciting to add to it. This year, I crafted all the characters from ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ by hand using foam boards … I can’t wait to do it even bigger next year.”

The Peil family—who have previously been awarded Creepiest Crypt and Best Theme in years prior—received the DIY/Originality award for the first time in 2024 for their Boolinger Cemetery in Marquez Knolls (#3 on the ballot).

Kimber led the charge, with help from husband, Chuck, and kids, Kennedy and Holland.

“We have lived here over 17 years and work very hard every year to put up (and take down) all the decorations, and to change things up to keep it exciting,” Kimber said. “The kids start asking a month before: ‘When are the decorations going up? You’re decorating, right?’ We have neighbors stop by on a daily basis leading up to Halloween to see all the different elements close up.”

The decorations include spiders, zombies and ghouls, with around 350 trick-or-treaters stopping by to enjoy.

“On Halloween night we amp it up with smoke machines, spooky lighting, an awesome (and loud) soundtrack and finally my husband as an eight-foot ghost handing out candy—engaging with the kids,” Kimber said. “I would have to say that my favorite decoration is the ‘Boolinger Cemetery’ gates, which we made and serve as the entry to our yard. It has become an annual selfie spot and really sets the tone for the entire decor.”

Winners will receive prizes from this year’s sponsors, which include McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Palisades Gas & Wash, Alfred, Porta Via Palisades, Theatre Palisades and Jemma Pizzeria.

For the next chance to participate, stay tuned for the Post’s annual Deck Your Halls holiday home decorating contest, which begins in December.