2025 Scary Chairy Orchard Winners Announced

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Mayor Gerard Hudspeth and City staff were on hand to honor this year's Scary Chairy Orchard participants. Overall, nine chairs made the list of finalists with four special awards designated among them: Mayor's Choice Award, Best Independent Chair, Best Group/Business Chair, and Most Creative Chair.

The Scary Chairy Orchard honors the DIY-artistry of the original Chairy Orchard - an outdoor art piece created by Anne Pearson and Judy Smith in the open area between their houses - but adds a Halloween twist. As a community art project, the Scary Chairy Orchard involved efforts of seasoned artists, amateur crafters, and participants of all ages. The Orchard is on display until Oct. 31, after which participants have until Nov. 3 to pick up the chairs before they are removed.

This year, generous support for the Scary Chairy Orchard was provided by Whataburger Restaurants LLC. Whataburger staffed an arts and crafts table for visitors on Saturday mornings in October, and their monetary donation will be used to enhance Denton's 31 Days of Halloween.

Happy Halloween and thank you to everyone contributed or visited the Scary Chairy Orchard this year!

Mayor's Choice Award: "We're All Mad Here," by Cat Avery, Amanda Robeson, Kobie Clark, Vanessa Ponce, and Sara Howard.

Best Individual Chair: "They're Watching You" by Nancy Heber and Joan Ferrara

Best Group/Business Chair: "Derf the Dragon at Castle Moore" by Fred Moore High School Art Club

Most Creative Chair: "Granny's Rotten Root Cellar" by Heart of Denton 4H Club

2025 Finalists:

"Madame Chair Voyant" by Jacqui Bode and Carol Sanford

"Redrum" by Ashton Gregory-Smith, Matthew Hamilton, Smith Paul Bones, and Bradlin Bones

"Moth" by Thistle Creative Reuse

"The Horrors of Adulting" by Lauren Cordoba

"We've Been Expecting You" by the Art Room