Catasauqua and North Catasauqua residents are not going to let COVID-19 stop their Halloween fun this year.

While the annual parade between the two boroughs has been canceled due to the difficulty of maintaining social distancing during such an event, the parade committee has come up with an alternative for residents - the 2020 Catasauqua and North Catasauqua (Un)Parade.

To participate in this community event, residents need only to “decorate the exterior of your home with timeless spooky Halloween characters or scenes, make mayhem at your mysterious mansion or create a colorful fall scene,” a Sept. 23 post on the North Catasauqua Facebook page read.

This contest is open to any resident or business in either borough. Scarecrow entries may be submitted by groups such as school classes, clubs or churches.

Entry forms can be found at the event website, halloweenunparade.wixsite.com/website, as well as on the Catasauqua and North Catasauqua websites, catasauqua.org and northcatasauqua.org, respectively.

Entry forms must be received no later than midnight Oct. 18 to be included in the judging, and decorating must be completed by Oct. 20. Voting will take place Oct. 21-30.

Voting will be done via the 2020 Catasauqua/North Catasauqua UnParade Facebook page. Photos of the various sites will be posted, and the pictures with the most “likes” will win. Voters are encouraged to drive by the displays to see them in person before voting.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three displays in each of the following traditional categories: overall theme, most original, scariest and kid friendly.

Additional prizes will be awarded to the home or business display with the most votes in a number of “best of” categories. These categories include Catasauqua display, North Catasauqua display, scarecrow display, Catasauqua-themed Halloween, best animated, daytime display and nighttime display.

Participants must select only one category to enter for consideration. A location can only win one prize.

The prizes for the traditional categories are first place, a $100 gift card, a large pumpkin and a large bag of Halloween treats; second place, a $50 gift card, a pumpkin and a big bag of treats; and third place, a $25 gift card, a pumpkin and a bag of treats. Winners in the “Best of” categories receive a $100 gift card, a large pumpkin and a large bag of treats.

All participants will receive a treat bag including the 2020 (Un)Parade mask.

Participants are asked to return the yard signs, announcing their involvement, back to their respective borough hall offices no later than Nov. 3. Winners must return the yard sign to claim their prize.

The (Un)Parade committee includes Chairwoman Melissa Brown, Amy Ahart, Leslie Estrada, Michelle Hazzard, Betsy Hillenbrand, Janice Lathrop, Deb Mellish, Peter Paone, Vincent Smith and Steve Travers.

Event sponsors are Biery’s Port Body Works, Blocker’s Coffeehouse, Catty Beverage, Daku’s Auto Body Shop, The Gas House Dance Hall, Hartzell’s Pharmacy, Lehigh Valley Acupuncture Centre, Melvin’s Farmstand, Mike’s Notary, Pie’s On Pizzeria, T&D Auto Service and Witt’s Tree Service. According to the organizers, the event would not be possible without the support of the sponsors.

For updates and more information, continue checking the event Facebook page and website.