Winter's Slumber

My Halloween props have been put away after another incredible October season, ready for their hard-earned winter slumber.

Luckily, we still have plenty of posts to get through before we do the same...

  

Dia De Muertos Ohio, 2018

This year's "Halloween Hangover" didn't last long. Only three days after the whirlwind of Halloween night, my son and I got the chance to drive up to Cleveland and check out the 2018 Dia De Muertos Ohio parade. An amazing event highlighting the city's vibrant Hispanic culture and celebrating the traditional Mexican and Latin American "Day of the Dead" holiday.

We had been to this wonderful event in years past, but has missed the last 2 years due to Halloween scheduling conflicts. I was really excited to get back up to it this year, and especially because I got the chance to have my young son experience it, too.

Ornate altars and elaborate ofrendas were displayed throughout the neighboring Church Hall and yard while vendors sold Day of the Dead and skeleton wares. Many attendees donned the traditional skull face paint and costumes. Mariachis even serenaded the crowd throughout the afternoon, culminating in the main event, the annual "Skulls & Skeletons" parade.

As the parade-goers gathered at the parking lot entrance, it became a sea of skeletons, stilt-walkers and puppets. We got a spot close to the entrance, camera in hand. As the parade embarked from the lot, I snapped wildly at all of the inventive, ornate and fun costumes. 

If you ever find yourself in the Northeast Ohio area, you really should make a point to come check out the Dia De Muertos Parade in Cleveland! It really is a great cure for your "Halloween Hangover"!

Here's a small selection of shots from the celebration...

  

Corn Maze

Photos from a weekend trip to the local corn maze. Enter if you dare!

Enter if you dare, to a surprise vortex tunnel!

Friday...

Only 241 more days until Halloween.

Now go to my previous post about the Friday the 13th Part III soundtrack, press play and then come back and watch this. You're welcome! Time to get into the garage and knock out a few props!!

  

Highbury Cemetery, 2015

Another successful Halloween is in the books, and for the first time in 4 years, I can say we FINALLY had no rain for trick-or-treat!! When the weather cooperates, we get to set up more of our yard haunt display and more kids get to come out and experience the terror!

This was the best show we have put on in years. Although we had a smaller group of volunteers and actors, everything fell into place and everyone had an insanely fun night. And outside of a few minor prop malfunctions, everything ran smoothly and the display was met with a chorus of compliments from everyone who dared to enter... Highbury Cemetery!

As always, a HUGE thank you to the following crew for helping me set up, run and then tear down my display: Sharon, Karen, Laurie, Neighbor Joe, Andrew, Daniel (the guy from up the street who came down and asked if he could help with the haunt), Mrs. Highbury, Nancy and last but not least, Little Christian Highbury. Everything is put up and taken down in one day and without your help, this show could not exist. Everyone on the list went above and beyond to earn their shirts this year!!!

And finally, I can not forget to send a monstrous THANK YOU to every trick-or-treater, parent and curious neighbor who came through the display. We had record attendance this year! You are the reason we do this every year and your screams, laughter and compliments keep us motivated to return with a bigger and better display for 2016!! Happy Halloween, everyone...


Without further ado, I present Highbury Cemetery, 2015:

 

And after the last trick-or-treater ran fleeing from the Cemetery, we had a new attendance record: 342 victims!! That's almost 100 more than 2014. Thank you, everyone. See you next year...