I consider myself the unofficial Prince of Halloween. It has always been my favorite day of the year, and the months leading up to it are just as magical for me. Oddly enough, my house is completely dark every October 31st. No candy, no kids, no nothing. Why? I'll tell you ...I spend every Halloween up in Newburyport, Massachusetts, helping to put on a Halloween Trick-or-Treat spectacular for the neighborhood kids. We pull in people from all over the city, and sometimes farther away.
Each year, we have a theme. One year, we dressed as pirates, and the King and Queen of Halloween, the hosts for this event, erected a pirate ship in their driveway. One year, we reenacted the War of the Worlds, including aliens, terrified citizens, and riot police (all actors, of course). Last year, we turned Marlboro Street in Newburyport into the land of OZ (Judy Garland, not HBO). And this year? This year, we conjured up some magic with the world of Harry Potter. (Above: Folks enjoying the floating candles; note the flying car stuck in the tree.)
It really is something to see, but don't look at the props, or the costumes, or the candy, look at the faces of the kids as they marvel at their favorite characters, no matter what the genre. Look at the faces of the adults as they reflect on their own past Halloweens. And look at our faces, because we are happy just to be able to bring smiles to all those other faces.A thank you needs to go out to the neighborhood of Marlboro Street, Newburyport. The residents have been patient and understanding as hordes of children have knocked on their doors, on the way to our door. (This year, we estimate that 800 trick-or-treaters, and maybe an equal number of parents, came to see the Harry Potter event). And those same neighbors have helped us as we have put the finishing touches on the show. And a thank you needs to go out to the King and Queen of Halloween. It is their selflessness that has made so many people happy.
Happy Halloween to one and all!
(Above: A young Draco Malfoy takes direction from a roof-bound Lord Voldemort.)
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