Howl-o-Ween Frights and Delights

The origins of Halloween can be traced back about 2,000 years to the Celts of Europe who occupied parts of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. It was a pagan festival called "Samhain" that celebrated the honor of the dead and involved the offering of large sacrifices of crops and animals. Many cultures throughout the world have a "Day of the Dead" (often with sacrifices) occurring at the end of summer and fall: El Dia de los Muertos, Finados, Dia de los Natitas, O-bon and Tet Trung Nguyen. The Celts believed this was when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was thinnest, and all sorts of mischievous spirits roamed about. People darkened their faces with ashes to ward off unwanted ghostly guests and remain safe from unfriendly attention. The living would recognize the spirits of their departed loved ones and could reveal themselves as they wished. Eventually, this practice evolved into the wearing of masks, and later costumes. The practice of setting out food for loved ones may have also originated at this time. In medieval England, during All Saints day, people would go door-to-door offering to pray for the souls of the deceased in exchange for "soul cakes".

I asked Yvonne who she was dressed as and she said Mary "something" in pajamas.

Daisy and Brooke holding down the front line by greeting trick or treaters with candy and chips.

I think the kids from the daycare were the first ones to make their way our way.

The Stay Puff Marsh mellow man brought me back very cool costume.

Smaller big ones came

Look at this little guy poise for the shot. I didn't even notice at the time.

Around the corner Melissa and I were greeting the kids and directing the brave

one to the haunted hall.

One guys asked me if he should Smudge before going in? YES YOU SHOULD super scary!!!

I didn't know this was Phyllis. Eeeeeeh! How come there is a little ghost baby with hands?

The pièce de résistance was Teneal with a dollface mask with glowing eyes hiding in a box.

She put in all the hard work of setting up Health's Haunted Hallway and what a spectacular touch she had. I overheard a parent say to her crying kids 'It's only people in a masks'.

After being scared or enjoying themselves Janice and Rennette were there to hand out candy.

Did you catch the Imposter Among Us?

Travis, April, Yvonne, Phyllis and Teneal consisted of our haunted hall, greeting and just dressing up for the day.

If Beetlejuice isn't directly inspired by the day of the dead then I don't know what is.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 coolest costume award!

To the mum or dad that made this my hat goes off to you. Your daughter made my day!

Awwwee!

Frozen will little girls ever stop loving that movie?

It was an overcast and foggy day and little bit chilly but the core area came alive with our children from the school and daycare visiting each the core area buildings to collect their treats. Some saw our haunted hallway with scary sounds from our recorder creating the atmosphere and were like Nope I'll just wait here. Older ones went through it multiple times enthralled and excited by the scares.