Halloween Hometown Happenings

Any spook-tacular events happening where you live for the Halloween season?  Here in Texas we have lots of hayrides, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, corn mazes, and general Halloween fun going on through the end of the month. 

And there are some things happening that weren't exactly planned, like this story about the Halloween Election Display:

(CBS) COLLEYVILLE, Texas - An anti-Obama Halloween display in suburban Dallas was targeted by vandals, but then the homeowner rebuilt it with a slightly less personal - but still political - message.
The original display drew complaints about the life-size depiction of President Obama hanging in a large spider web. A clown in the web represented Vice President Biden.

CBS DFW reports that homeowners Melissa and Glenn Cruson build the Halloween display every fall with items dominating the national headlines or pop culture, and said it was their way of commenting on what they felt was a circus.

But vandals destroyed it. Melissa Cruson discovered the heads of the characters were gone, so was an American flag, and signs were shredded. She reported the crime to the Colleyville police.

"We had numerous calls, numerous texts, asking what in the world happened, why is your display down?," she told CBS DFW.

She said dozens of people volunteered to rebuild it with a new message, and people donated money for materials.

"It became about differing opinions and whether or not do you have the right to speak your mind," said family friend Shannon Braun.
Tuesday evening, about two dozen people gathered at the home.

Cruson came up with a new display idea that she said she hoped would not cause any controversy, but still sent a message.

According to CBS DFW, there are now no characters in the large web. Mitt Romney was rebuilt next to an empty chair (see: Clint Eastwood). A large sign reads, "Thieves took the clowns, but the circus still remains."

"We didn't want anybody to think we took it down on our own because we believe in our rights to free speech and we believe in the message we were sending to begin with," Cruson said.

What Halloween happenings are happening where you are?

this one sounds really cool!

Spooky Science Fest at the State Park:

How, may you ask, of all the campgrounds in all the towns in all the world, Scarlett O’Hara walks into Harry Potter’s?  It seems they share a common interest in the Spooky Science Fest — Protectors of the Park. The program is back for its sixth year at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, one of the many amazing Halloween programs at Texas state parks. You can get a full calendar at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website. Here’s a look at some of the fun that starts this weekend:

Saturday, Oct. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. Estero Llano Grande SP in the Rio Grande Valley, one of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s three world birding center sites, invites superheroes of all ages to save Texas State Parks and our natural and cultural resources, from the clutches of evil. There will be Superhero photos, a mad science lab, games, crafts, hay rides, live animals, costume contests, food and drinks. $6, $4 for children 12 and under and $2 for those with a Texas State Parks Passport. 956-565-3919. worldbirdingcenter.org.

Oct. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. Ray Roberts Lake State Park in Valley View invites little ghosts and goblins to the Johnson Branch unit of the park for the Spooky Critter Hike with family fun, candy, surprises and educational talk about critters of the night. Plus, each time you find a night critter with a ranger on the short hike, there will be a treat waiting for you. Participants are encouraged to dress up. RSVP at 940-637-2294. You can head back to Ray Roberts Oct. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for the Great Pumpkin Carving Contest, where prizes will be awarded to the top three. (Bring your own pumpkin that’s already been carved, one entry per family.) Halloween treats and a spooky campfire session are included. Both events are free with state park entrance fees of $7 for ages 13 and up, free for 12 and younger.

the picture is: Harry Potter, Scarlett O'Hara and other superheroes at last year's Halloween festivities at Texas state campgrounds

we are having lots of fall festival and trunk or treat all free

The first one I've heard of, a pink pumpkin patch (in support of breast cancer research).

thats awesome support for women (and some men)who are going thru that terrible disease thanks for the share

There are a lot of bakers on my local FB online garage sale.  Here's some tasty local homemade halloween treats:

When I was in high school, I spent one Halloween night collecting money for the Free Clinic. 

Here's some info on Halloween for Heroes, which really brings out the Spirit of Giving for Halloween.

Halloween for Heroes is an organization founded in 2001 by the Wright family of Needham, MA. On Halloween night rather than trick-or-treat for candy, groups of high school and middle school students go door-to-door raising awareness and funds for a charitable cause.  This event is not only valuable in the funds and awareness raised for the cause chosen each year. Halloween for Heroes also strives to benefit its youth participants by giving them the opportunity to engage in something bigger than themselves and learn that they have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of others who don’t have the stability that they do. In addition, the community sees its youth engaging in a collective effort to help those suffering, in turn inspiring more community activism for important causes.

Halloween for Heroes was first organized in 2001 by brothers JW and Greg Wright, with help from friends Jeff Gardner and Abel Samet. Responding to President Bush's request that every child in America help the starving children in Afganistan, Needham High School students mobilized through Halloween for Heroes to raise funds for America's Fund for Afghan Children. Since its initial success in 2001 Halloween for Heroes has raised over $10,000 for causes such as relief for Darfuri genocide victims and Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief and had over 100 student participants. It is hoped that the success of Halloween for Heroes in Needham will inspire students across the country to take part in Halloween for Heroes and devote their Halloween night to aiding those less fortunate than themselves and educating their communities about a significant national or international issue.


Labels Are For Jars - this year's heroes:

Facts About the Labels Are For Jars Organization:

Labels Are For Jars is an organization working to raise money for the Hungry in Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence is one of the poorest cities in the United States and the poorest in Massachusetts
Lawrence has a population of 71,000 people, 27% of whom are below the poverty line
The combination of economic poverty and an unusually expensive housing market leaves many people in Lawrence without enough money to adequately feed themselves
Approximately 75% of school-age children in Lawrence qualify for government-subsidized food programs – meaning that three out of four children in Lawrence are at risk for hunger
An overwhelming 37 percent of children under age 18 in Lawrence live in households below the poverty line, as compared to 13 percent of children under age 18 statewide
Labels is the brainchild of a team that includes late-night funnyman Conan O’Brien, MLB All-Star Sean Casey, celebrated brand designer Mike Toth, and Father Paul B. O’Brien. The group launched Labels Are For Jars as a unique means of raising money to feed hungry people through the Cor Unum Meal Center.
100% of the money donated to Labels Are For Jars directly goes to the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence
The Cor Unum Meal Center arose from the vision of a group of men and women from St. Patrick Parish in South Lawrence who in 2001 were moved by compassion to respond concretely to the growing needs of the hungry in their city. After five years of research, planning, and the process of construction, their vision resulted in the completion of the Cor Unum Meal Center.
Cor Unum is a non-profit meal center located in South Lawrence that provides free, nutritious meals in a safe environment
The Cor Unum Meal Center serves hundreds of people at each meal, 365 days a year. Cor Unum has a small core staff and relies upon a wide volunteer base for the provision of all of its services.
$1=1 Meal
Hunger happens in communities all around Massachusetts, even if it is not always visible. Hunger is a reality in Lawrence, MA. Labels Are For Jars is helping to eliminate hunger in Lawrence.