SAVE YOUR SPOT
Pre-registration is REQUIRED to participate in the costume contest.
There is no day-of guarantee for contestants who have not registered in advance. Space within each division may be limited.
How It Works
STEP 1: REGISTER ONLINE
Complete the registration form below for each individual or group entering the contest.
STEP 2: CHECK IN AT THE FESTIVAL
Registered contestants must check in at the designated Little Monsters & Local Legends Check-In Area next to the stage on October 24.
At check-in, contestants will receive their official contestant number and instructions for judging.
STEP 3: SHOW US YOUR COSTUME!
Contestants appear before our judging panel during their designated competition time. Each contestant or group will have their moment to show off their costume in front of the judges and festival crowd. We will kick off the event with a costume parade that will begin at the opening of the event on N. Country and go to the stage in the municipal parking lot on the corner of Sound Rd. and N. Country Rd.
STEP 4: THE JUDGES DECIDE
Our judging panel will score contestants using the official Little Monsters & Local Legends judging criteria.
STEP 5: CROWN THE LOCAL LEGENDS!
Winners will be announced during the festival shortly following the costume parade. Contestants must be present to win.
HOW COSTUMES WILL BE JUDGED
Judges will consider:
Creativity & Originality — 30 points
How creative, clever, unusual, or imaginative is the costume concept?
Overall Look & Execution — 25 points
How well does the entire costume come together?
Effort & Detail — 20 points
Consideration will be given to details, accessories, makeup, styling, and overall effort.
Halloween Spirit / Character — 15 points
Does the contestant bring the costume to life?
Stage Presence & Crowd Appeal — 10 points
Have fun with it! Personality, presentation, and enthusiasm count.
TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE: 100 POINTS
Costumes do NOT have to be handmade to participate. Handmade elements and craftsmanship may contribute to scores for creativity, execution, and detail, but purchased costumes are welcome.
Judging decisions are final.
CONTEST DIVISIONS
Tiny Pumpkins: 0-4y
Little Monsters: 5-8y
Spooky Kids: 9-12y
Teen Legends: 13-17y
Local Legends: 18y+
Family Group: All Ages
PRIZES
Prize categories will be announced prior to the event.
Each category will receive a prize.
Contestants will compete within their designated division rather than against every participant in the contest.
🎃 Calling All Little Monsters & Local Legends! 👻
Get those costumes ready because the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce is bringing some Halloween fun to the Village Vibe Fall Festival in Downtown Wading River!
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Downtown Wading River
Join us for our Little Monsters & Local Legends Halloween Costume Contest — where witches, superheroes, princesses, ghosts, monsters, and creative characters of all kinds can show off their Halloween spirit!
We’re looking for costumes that make us laugh, make us look twice, show incredible creativity, and bring some serious Halloween spirit to the Village.
Whether your costume is handmade, hilarious, spooky, adorable, wildly creative, or completely over the top, we want to see it!
✨ Dress to impress
🎃 Show off your creativity
👻 Have some spooky-season fun
🏆 Compete for prizes & bragging rights!
Bring your family, bring your friends, and come dressed in your Halloween best. Whether you're cute, creepy, clever, or completely outrageous, we want to see you!
🍂 Village Vibe Fall Festival – Downtown Wading River
Come for the festival. Stay for the fun. And show us what kind of Little Monster or Local Legend YOU can be! 👻🧡