T-R PHOTOS BY ROBERT MAHARRY Mollie and Jaxen Fifo, who reside at 112 N. 18th St. and are pictured at top, are engaged in a friendly Halloween decorating competition with Mollie’s parents, Scott and Lori McLain, pictured at bottom, who live at 206 N. 18th St. Voting will begin on Mollie’s Facebook page Oct. 15 and run until Halloween night, and the winner will secure bragging rights and the right to “steal” one of the four-foot tall or less inflatable items from the loser.

Scott and Lori McLain of Marshalltown have the unique honor of living less than a block away from their daughter and son-in-law, Mollie and Jaxen Fifo — the McLains reside at 206 N. 18th St., and the Fifos are at 112 N. 18th St.

Along with having readily available childcare for their two youngsters, the proximity led to another fun development for the Fifos two years ago when they woke up one October morning to find a giant inflatable pumpkin in their yard courtesy of Grandpa Scott. Ever the good sports, they’ve turned that initial prank into a Halloween decorating contest between the families each year.

“(Our daughter Hollis) had just been born, and (Scott) put this giant pumpkin in our yard without us knowing. And we looked out the window, and we were like ‘Oh my gosh.’ And so then, it just took off,” Mollie said.

Lori joked that it’s “really gotten out of control” since then, with giant werewolves, black cats, witches, ghosts and other spooky signs of the season adorning both yards, and on Oct. 15, Mollie plans to put photos of each display on Facebook and let the public decide which one is their favorite.

Voting will run until Halloween night, and whoever wins gets to “steal” a four-foot tall or less inflatable from the other one along with claiming all-important bragging rights. When asked about the cost, Lori had a short answer.

“Let’s just say thank goodness for Menard’s rebates,” she said.

She added that she hopes they will inspire other neighbors to follow suit, and Jaxen Fifo would like to see something like the old T-R Halloween display competition come back. Mollie also wants to bring more trick or treaters to the neighborhood on the city’s northwest side, which is now seeing younger families with children move to the area.

“A new generation’s moving in, and it’s time to encourage the torch (to be passed),” Scott said.

Keep an eye out on Mollie’s Facebook page for the chance to vote. The winner will be announced at 5 p.m. on Halloween night.