Every Oct. 31st, Mihama American Village becomes the venue for a gathering of the scariest crowd of ghosts and goblins as the area hosts the largest Halloween costume contest in Okinawa. In a matter of fact, the contest is a part of a Chatan Town plan to become a prime destination for lovers of cosplay.
Participants include people from both local and American communities with participants going all out in self-made or professionally created outfits. Indeed, on that day, the colorful crowd makes the American Village resemble a movie studio lot during the filming of the latest zombie or Dracula flick.
Since 2017, the participation in the costume contest was moved on Instagram. Those who would like to compete for the prizes must take a photo in the costume while in any location at Mihama American Village as instructed on the official Instagram page of the contest and then post the photos on their own Instagram page with the hashtag #halloweenmihama2018. The organizers will announce the winners of the contest at a later date.  The official American Village Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/americanvillage.okinawa/

The top prize of the contest is a $500 cash award. The 2nd prize is $300, 3rd $200, 4th $150, and the 5th $100. There are also giveaways, such as restaurant tickets and a one-night stay at the Vessel Hotel in Mihama.

On the day of the event, the shops at American Village welcome customers to special sales and other events with their staff dressed up in Halloween costumes. For families with children, a pumpkin and Ferris wheel mark at the storefront indicates a shop where kids are rewarded with candy when saying the magic phrase, “Trick or Treat!!”