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Halloween Experiences

James Rogers: I remember being in New England, USA visiting family during their 'fall' just before Hallowe'en and just before the election that Obama won. So many houses had flags, sign posts etc declaring their political colours it was quite surprising. But even more on show were the Hallowe’en decorations! One household in Boston had 'Vote Obama' carved into their pumpkin in place of the usual ghoulish visage. But it was up in New Hampshire/Vermont where we would be driving along a typically straight American highway through cornfields and the like and then suddenly out of the crop would emerge a little wooden farm shop with what seemed like thousands of pumpkins and witches on broomsticks and toffee apples, ample candy in hallowe'en shapes - it was all brilliantly exciting and over the top, but also set in a slightly creepy, middle-of-nowhere kind of place; I did not know if I could trust the 'lovely little old lady' who ran the shops!! Back at home dressing up and face paint has always been the order of the day and apple bobbing and chocolate featured a lot.

Cath Draper: Being scared of the dark when I was younger my parents normally saved me the trouble of dealing with Hallowe'en which was not my favourite party of the year as a result. But I will always remember coming home from a friend's house in the next street after dark one time and a black cat passing in front of me as I came round the corner. It scared the life out of me and ran home petrified!

Mark Burkes (Pops): Remembers being caught coming home late after work one time by some trick or treaters and being without a treat to hand over. With only one option left he sharply closed the glass panel door to his house as the kids took aim and covered the door in eggs! He is never without sweets these days, but also recalled getting the perpetrators to clean up!

James Holding: Being near my birthday (21st Oct) my abiding memories are of joint hallowe'en birthday parties with my childhood mate James Hague. My mum made me hallowe'en costumes - one in particular was a red devil with polystyrene horns! These were the days before you could get these things easily and so I had to rely on my parental artistic skills to look good. And look good I did [ED: with little Jim's red hair I can only imagine how awesome this costume must have been... if it can be arranged we shall find another one and get him back in it!]. There were always lots of goody bags for guests and the usual hallowe'en party games. This is something that I want to re-live and so when I get back next year I shall have another massive party (all invited!) but fancy dress is not optional.

Thanks guys and see you in Geraldton for the celebrations.

Halloween Competion Photo