Everything was perfect in Downtown Raleigh on October 31, 2009, for making this Halloween a memorable one. The moon was about as close to full as it can get. And the weather–well, let’s just say we don’t need to cover our costumes with coats. At trick-or-treat time, the temperature was around 70.
We started our party at the N.C. Governor’s Mansion. After making our way through security and their metal detectors, we were in the governor’s yard with tons of others, young and old, costumed and not. The sidewalk was covered in straw, and the governor had some pretty scary guys in costumes walking around, stirring a smoky brew in a pot, and even laying in a coffin only to rise up to frighten those brave enough to venture close. After working our way through all the creepy sights, Gov. Bev Perdue and her costumed husband were greeting all of their guests with handshakes and posing for photo ops.
My neighborhood, Historic Oakwood, rocks Halloween! Most neighbors participate by passing out candy, displaying pumpkins, and sitting outside on their porches. Some neighbors, though, go all out. They wear amazing costumes, decorate their homes like nothing you’ve ever seen, and even employ dry ice in their fright-fests.
We welcome all comers, and come they do. Throngs and throngs of trick-or-treaters. We bought ten pounds of candy to pass out—yes, that’s not a typo, 10 pounds–and we ran out of candy before we ran out of trick-or-treaters. Fortunately, my own goblins were back at that point, and so we started passing out candy that they had collected, but only what they considered undesirable pieces.
Then there’s the adult Halloween scene in Downtown Raleigh, concentrated particularly on Glenwood South. And with the 31st falling on Saturday this year, there was quite a party going on.
That’s Life in Raleigh.