Creativity could win prizes for those entering pumpkin decorating contests this Halloween season.

The Southeast Missourian is offering its first ever Devilish Decorating Contest.

Six winners each will receive four free tickets to the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department's haunted house. The tickets may be used Oct. 29, 30, 31.

To enter, contestants should pick their pumpkin of choice. Any size will do.

Pumpkins will be judged on creativity. "They don't have to be carved," explained Teresa Connell, who is coordinating the contest. "Kids or parents can just go wild with construction paper, markers, paint, cotton, whatever they have around the house."

Teams or families may work together.

Attach an entry form, which is available in the Southeast Missourian, to the pumpkin, and bring it to the lobby at 301 Broadway before 5 p.m. Oct. 27.

Winners will be notified Tuesday night, and a picture of the winning entries will appear in the newspaper.

"I had heard of similar contests in other communities that became very popular," Connell said. "I thought people here might enjoy decorating pumpkins."

For information, contact Connell at (573) 335-6611.

In another pumpkin decorating contest, shoppers at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Cape Girardeau can vote for their favorite decorated pumpkins to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network.

The pumpkins were decorated by fourth-grade students at Clippard Elementary School and are displayed near the service desk at the store.

Individuals may vote for the favorite pumpkins with cash donations. The child who decorates the winning pumpkin also wins a prize. The winner will be determined on Halloween.