WESTPORT — The town will get an early “brush” with Halloween on Oct. 23 when young artists unleash their talents to decorate local merchants’ windows in the holiday spirit.

The event is the annual Halloween Window Painting Contest, sponsored by the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce.

The response has been so “overwhelming” that chamber officials have issued a call for more merchants to register their windows to serve as the “canvas” for painters to work their Halloween magic.

To register a window for the contest, merchants can click here. There is a $25 sign-up fee.

Registration for painters is suspended for the time being, according to the chamber, pending more business owners signing up to make their windows available.

Contestants will paint Halloween decorations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, on the windows of participating stores and businesses across town.

Judges will review the work and award prizes in three age groups (elementary, middle and high school artists) in the following themed categories:

• Scariest
• Best Halloween theme
• Most original

The artwork will be displayed through Halloween, Oct. 31.

For more information, contact the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce at 203-227-9234 or email info@westportwestonchamber.com