Happy Halloween, everybody! Reader here, and it’s that one day of the year that everybody gets to enjoy some thrills and chills, dress up in fun and creative costumes, and enjoy all those delicious treats.
It’s always a good time, and it doesn’t matter how old you are. Whether you’re a kid, dressing up to go trick-or-treating, or a grown-up, suiting up to head out to a Halloween party, it’s a day everyone can enjoy.
From the time I was little, I’ve always loved dressing up for Halloween. I haven’t been able to round up any photos of me in my costumes from when I was a kid. But, I remember dressing up as a Smurf, as He-Man (from “Masters of the Universe”) and, of course, as my favourite super-hero, Spider-Man.
The funny thing about those He-Man and Spidey costumes, were that they were those classic 1980’s costumes, that had the mask with the elastic that was a little too tight, and always cut into your head, along with the plastic or vinyl costume itself.
You know what I’m talking about. The ones that you side on over your clothes (and, because we live in Saskatchewan, over your jacket and ski pants), and fasten around your neck with a ribbon that you tied up. And inevitably, because it was cold, those costumes would get brittle and crack to pieces, falling off as you go. By the end of the night, you’re left with the mask and a little ribbon with a jagged piece of the costume hanging off it. When you’d knock on someone’s door, they’d ask who you are, and you say “I’m Spider-Man in a parka!”
Those were the days when you’d get full-sized chocolate bars, bags of chips that weren’t the miniscule “snack size,” and popcorn balls. Delicious popcorn balls. Remember them? So good!
One year, I decided to go as Freddy Krueger for Halloween. My mom used face paint to make the burn scars, and my Dad came up with a really cool idea for the claws. He took PVC pipe, and whittled down four long finger “blades,” that I could slip onto my fingers to simulate Freddy’s deadly glove. Ingenious!
As I got older, you get more creative, and want to come up with more elaborate costumes.
Over the years, I’ve reprised the Freddy look, gone out as Captain Jack Sparrow, and even the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson!
One year, I went as Jason Voorhees, from the “Friday the 13th” movies. In fact, I enjoyed that so much, I brought it bas again over the weekend, when I helped out with “Trick or Treat at the Trail!”
Another favourite, is what I call the “Casual Werewolf,” along with my jailbird outfit!
And just a couple of years ago, I suited up as another of my musical heroes, the soul of my favourite band, Rolling Stones’ guitarist Keith Richards!
Unfortunately, this year turned out to be a bit of a busy one, and I didn’t get into the Halloween mode like I usually do. But that means I’ll have to get an early start on coming up for something for next year!
I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween, and if you have any leftover Reeses Peanut Butter Cups you don’t want, you know where to find me. I’ll be happy to take them off your hands!
I leave you with one of my Halloween favourites by Michael Jackson. No, not “Thriller.” That’d be too easy!
This is “Ghosts,” part of a longer 40-minute short film MJ made back in 1996. It fits the Halloween vibe very well! Enjoy!
