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I savor the month of October; the crisp air, apple cider everything, colors of fall foliage, festival galore, pumpkins and of course, Halloween. History aside, Halloween was a childhood favorite, as picking pumpkins, bouncing along bumpy hayrides, getting lost in a corn maze and filling up a bag of apples were highly anticipated traditions. The Halloween spirit was reinforced at home, with multiple viewings of the 1949 animated movie, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and the 1986 special, Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin. The Monster Mash song by Bob Pickett was also discovered at some point and set on repeat for days. Sorry Mom and Dad!

Fast-forward to the present day, and I’ve found myself re-watching SNL’s David S. Pumpkins sketch and cartoon, eating way too many apple cider donuts, playing Haunted Mini Golf at Farmington Mini Golf and Ice Cream Parlor and driving comically far to the Capitol Hauntings Tour at the New York State Capitol. You could say I like Halloween.

For those looking for a dose of Halloween spirit, look no further than the streets of West Hartford. To start, check out Noah Webster House’s West Hartford Hauntings (10/26, 10/28 remaining) a lantern-lit tour of the Old North Cemetery that features mysterious tales of former West Hartford residents. The costume-themed Halloween Stroll for kiddies in the Center (10/26) features a morning trick-or-treat among participating stores and restaurants. There is even a Halloween Brunch at the excessively decorated Pond House (10/26, 10/27), and of course, the previously mentioned spooky mini golf (10/24-10/27) just over the border at Farmington Mini Golf.

A hidden gem among these signature events are the decorative lawn displays that range from adorable inflatables, to the thought-provoking, to the down right disturbing, all of which can be viewed from the comfort of your own car, bike or feet. Here’s a quick route that shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. Start at 190 Walden Street for a fun display kid and kid-at-heart appropriate. Don’t let “pop-up” Dracula scare you! Next, head to 121 Argyle Avenue to take a selfie among the fun cut out banners. Of course, if you have not yet visited 115 North Main Street to see “SCOTUS,” now is the time. Finally, head across Mountain Road to 120 Westmont to see the creepiest of displays.

December is not the only time to cruise the neighborhood to enjoy the spirit of the season.  Happy Halloween!

Jeff Shaw
West Hartford