GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - For the second year in a row, Ace Hardware in Gridley sponsored a Halloween costume contest for Gridley High School students with a little twist.

The ones wearing the costumes were Halloween skeletons all named Bob. They were decorated by each of the four classes. The students supplied some of their own items and used other decorative articles from the store. All four entries were on display at Ace, while customers voted on which one was best.

The winning class will receive $500 toward the “Safe and Sober” party at the end of the school year.

A comical spin on “Where’s Waldo?” was the theme of the freshman class entry. This included the placement of Waldo stickers throughout the store for customers to find and return for a piece of candy. 

For the sophomore class entry, a Cat Lady skeleton in a bathrobe and slippers was festooned with kitten skeletons. A doormat with the words, “Wipe Your Paws,” was added as a finishing touch.

The juniors dressed three skeletons as a football player and cheerleader, with the third one representing a Live Oak Lions player roasting over a fake fire. “Roast the Lions” was the theme, and roast the Lions they did, with a score of 49-3 at the football game last Friday.

Camouflaged gear and a salt gun adorned the hunting skeleton entered by the senior class. The “hunter” was accompanied by several duck decoys.

Store owner Katie Candelario said she had the idea to have the contest for the high school students a few years ago after a skeleton was purchased for the store. The employees decorated it but then decided it would be fun to involve the high school students, while incentivizing the Safe and Sober parties.

“We actually had a customer come in and donate $15 toward the cause. So whoever wins will get $515. I thought that was sweet,” Candelario said.

The winner was still to be determined at press time.