"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Halloween

A week or so before Halloween, I started reading some of the Halloween Happenings mentioned in the local paper and around town.  I saw one for the City of Burlington that took place the afternoon of October 30 that sounded like something Zach might enjoy:  Downtown Spooktacular.

This is the city's picture. See me and Zach?

The costumed children and their guardians lined up at the municipal building for the half hour before three, and then had a costume parade down a couple of streets to the depot where they had a costume contest (we skipped this) and the children could trick or treat for the next hour and a half (3:30 to 5:00).  Participating businesses were marked on a map, and usually business workers were on the sidewalks outside their businesses ready to greet the children. The library invited children inside where they had a few games set up for kids to win candy. 

On our way to meet the other parade participants



Zach liked the idea of a costume parade, but wasn't sure what participating in a "parade" involved.  We talked about it on the way over, and I assured him I'd be right there beside him or nearby because I had to take pictures, of course!

Once we parked, and started walking towards the municipal building, I gave further instructions.

"Oh, you march through the streets..." I began.

"Like a marching band?" he interrupted.

"Yeah, kind of."

He stomped down the sidewalk: "Like this."




 


"Well, you can walk regular if you prefer."  (my friend Emily said on Facebook:  "Oh. Captain America doesn't just walk 'regular.'")

 
He gathered with the other parade participants, and had a blast!  He played with some kids while we were waiting for the parade to begin.







ready to go!




As we were walking I noticed a few people had gathered to watch along the way. I quickly instructed Zach that our job was to wave and smile at them.  






 He took the job of waving to those on the sidelines to heart!  At one point, he put up his Captain America shield in an especially CA-pride way, and the ladies "awww"-ed at how cute he was.  Some of them were filming the parade.



still waving




Once we arrived at the depot, we traveled many streets getting bits of candy, and a small bottle of water, popcorn, and a balloon along the way.  My dad arrived with a boy he'd been working with, and Zach enjoyed having J tag along.  

Captain America taking a short break




That night we went to the City of Graham's trunk or treat which the Graham police department and local businesses hosted.  They had hot dogs for everyone, and trunks full of candy.  It was very well attended so I'm not sure we will brave the line again next year, but it was fun to see everyone.  

 
Andrew, Michael, and Zach


Kids passing the time, playing
Yes, that is Zach on the ground



Michael came with us, and wore his horse head most of the time - to the delight of many people. He got so many stares and comments.  One little princess  was especially enamored with him.  She kept talking to him, and once I think she asked for a ride!  She had a slightly-horrified look on her face later when Michael decided to take the horse head off, and was holding it in his hands!









On Saturday, we did something more low-key. I noticed signs in downtown Graham about the First United Methodist Church hosting a small event outside their building. They had the road blocked off, and had games for the children, a "truck bounce castle" as Zach put it, and trunks of treats for the children.  We wanted to include Sophie (18 months old) in something, and thought this would be much easier than going from house to house. (We did this with Zach at 18 months, and he wanted to just run the sidewalks!)  Zach loved the bouncy truck, and did that for about an hour.  It was seriously better for him than getting a lot of candy, anyway.  And Sophie enjoyed strolling around for candy, and then later being freed from her stroller to explore a bit.




We met at Walgreens











He really wanted his face "painted"

He wanted to be a dog

fishing for treats

3 comments:

Niki said...

Zach and Sophie looked really cute in their costumes. Looks like they had a great time. I love the story about Michael with the horse head and the little princess. Almost sounds like a fairy tale. lol Until you get to the part where he's carrying his head around. That -would- be horrifying. lol :-)

Niki said...

I was thinking that there was something familiar about a man with a horse head and a princess and then I remembered A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare. Only it's a man cursed with a donkey head (not a mask) and Titania, Queen of the Fairies. She's cursed/deceived and falls in love with him. :-)

Susanne said...

Oh, thanks for sharing that! Glad you enjoyed the story of Michael's horse head and the little princess. :) She was so cute!