The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting businesses to get creative and help make the Gainesville area festive for the season. Decorate your business with a Fall or Halloween-themed display and enter for a chance to be named our 2026 Business Decorating Contest winner!
NEW THIS YEAR: The contest is open to businesses throughout the Gainesville area, not just businesses located in the Downtown District!
In order to particpiate in this contest, you must:
1. Decorate your business for Fall or Halloween.
Go spooky, festive, traditional, creative, or completely over the top! Your display should be located in a visible or customer-facing area of your business, such as a storefront window, entrance, exterior, lobby, or other space that represents your business.
2. Submit your entry.
Complete this form with your business information and upload one to two photos of your display. This photo will be used for the public vote on the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, so be sure to choose the photos that best shows off your decorating! There is no cost to enter.
3. Submit your entry by Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Entries must be received by the deadline to be included in public voting.
How the Winner is Chosen
All eligible entries will be posted on the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for a public vote. Participating businesses will be tagged in the post when possible so you can encourage your customers, employees, friends, and followers to vote.
The business whose photo receives the most reactions on the original Chamber Facebook post by the voting deadline will win $200!
- Reactions on shared posts or other copies of the photo will not count toward the final total.
- You do not have to participate in Scare on the Square to enter the decorating contest.
Voting will close on Saturday, October 31st, 2026, and the winner will be contacted on Monday, November 2nd, 2026 to schedule a picture and delivery of their certificate and prize.
If you have trouble completing the form or uploading your photo, please contact the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce at (940) 665-2831 or info@gainesvillecofc.com.
Thank you for helping us make the Gainesville area a festive destination for visitors and locals!