The Winner of Patch's Halloween Costume Contest Is ...

The Pirate Carrying a Mermaid Optical Illusion has been named Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America. Its creator—and wearer—will receive a $5,000 prize for having the most creative and innovative costume.

Ashley Playford dressed up as a pirate carrying a mermaid this Halloween. Well, actually, she dressed up as the mermaid. Well...Her creativity has earned her the title of Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America and a $5,000 grand prize.   It was Playford's use of an optical illusion that won us over. Take a look at the photo she entered on Peekskill-Cortlandt Patch! Almost 4,000 Patch users entered the contest from Oct. 15 to Nov. 5, with costumes ranging from the Eiffel Tower and Honey Boo Boo to a flower pot and a clever interpretation of "binders full of women." National judges chose 1 finalist from each Patch state based on who had the most creative and innovative costume (we combined North Carolina & South Carolina for this contest…

• Photos (21)

Last Day To Enter Patch's Costume Contest

Submit your entry before the stroke of midnight tonight and you could win $5,000 in Patch’s Best Halloween Costume in America Contest.

Patch’s Halloween Costume Contest Ends Soon

Monday is the deadline to enter Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America Contest. Enter yourself or your kids for a chance to win $5,000.

Win $5K in our Halloween Costume Contest

Halloween is over, but you still have time to submit your photo in our contest to find the best Halloween Costume in America. Enter yourself or your kids by Nov. 5 for a chance to win $5,000.

Your Great Costume Could Earn You $5,000

We're searching for the best Halloween Costume in America. Submit photos of yourself or your kids by Nov. 1 for a chance to win $5,000.

Enter Patch’s Halloween Costume Contest

We're searching for the best Halloween Costume in America. Enter yourself or your kids for a chance to win $5,000.

It doesn’t matter if you’re Lady Gaga or Lady Liberty for Halloween—if you have an awesome costume, showcase your creation in our Best Halloween Costume in America Contest. Last year, the winner was the headless boy from Wyckoff, N.J. This year, it could be you. Enter our contest for a chance to win the $5,000 grand prize! Adults and children are eligible to enter. Parents can post costume photos of themselves and their families from this Halloween or from years past. Here’s how to enter: The contest runs from Oct. 15 to Nov. 5. National judges will choose 21 finalists from each Patch state and select one grand prize winner based on who has the most creative and innovative costume (we've combined North Carolina & South Carolina for this …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (36)

Jon Gargis

7:32 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Danille, you're right, and we've removed those entries since they did violate the contest rules. On another note, the contest entry period ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, and we've got a lot of great photos! We'll let you know as soon as we can when the finalists are posted.   more ›