All Hallow's Eve Roundup

45 trick or treaters braved the rain and wind to celebrate the high holiday. This was more than I expected in our new neighborhood, especially considering the inclement weather. Mrs. Holidays, Toddler Holidays, and Grandmother Holidays were in attendance. My good buddy Steve also made an appearance and even contributed some candy to the event.

Looking ahead, I'll be putting up a modest All Souls Day display on Saturday so stay tuned for some pictures and perhaps a little video.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

 

Video Footage

Trick or Treat Still On

Instead of 6-8, it will now be 5:30-7. Lots of rain and heavy wind expected. Anticipating a very small crowd this year.

Happy Halloween

Wishing everyone a truly magical Halloween!  Due to an approaching rain/wind storm, our trick-or-treat may be moved to Saturday night, which is All Souls Day. The city will make a decision in the next couple of hours. I'll keep everyone posted.

Halloween Eve

Tomorrow's forecast doesn't look too good right now.

Day Oct 31

65^°FHigh

Rain / Wind

Chance of rain:

70%

Wind:

S at 22 mph

Humidity:

80%

UV Index:

2 - Low

Sunrise:

8:00 am

Moonset:

4:47 pm

Moonphase:

Waning Crescent

Windy with morning showers evolving to a steady, soaking rain in the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Archway Decimated

Hours of strong southerly winds pummeled the archway and snapped one tombstone in half. Luckily, everything else has held up well. So, unfortunately, Spirit Grove III will not be featuring a branch-filled archway on Halloween Day, but with a few adjustments, it will still be a beautiful sight.

Round 1 in the Books

15 residents and 5 staff members from two local Goodwill chapters showed up to trick or treat at Spirit Grove. Mrs. Holidays, Toddler Holidays, and Sister in Law Holidays were in attendance. Grandmother and Mother in Law Holidays turned in nice performances as witches. Here are some pictures taken by Mrs. Holidays:

Halloween in 6 days!

Rough Draft

Stage I: frontal view

Stage I: rear view

Stage II: frontal view

Stage II: rear view

Stage III: frontal view

Stage III: rear view

Tomorrow, I'll add lots of light to the display for Trick or Treat Round 1. I've been told to expect about 15 residents and 5 staff members. The weather should be good with partly cloudy skies, temps in the high 40s by showtime, and light to moderate wind.

This Would Be Perfect

... if it holds true.

Halloween Forecast

Abundant sunshine. Highs in the upper 50s and lows in the upper 30s.

Day Oct 31

57^°FHigh

Sunny

Chance of rain:

0%

Wind:

SSW at 10 mph

Humidity:

65%

Progress Report

Lately, in preparation for Round 1 of Trick or Treat on Friday, I've been doing the following:

• progressively removing the pre-haunt yard decorations. The neighbors are probably wondering what's happened to them.
• cutting down low-lying, leafy branches around the property for the pathway portion of the yard display. Toddler Holidays has been very helpful carrying branches around.
• decorating the two artificial trees. Toddler Holidays has handed me many ornaments to hang.
• decorating the bouquet basket
• cutting down withered flowers in the graveyard
• getting a head count from the two Goodwill chapters who will be coming on Friday. One will be bringing 7 residents and 3 staff members. I haven't gotten a head count from the other yet.

Here's what's on the itinerary this week:

• Monday & Wednesday- Take down the final pre-haunt decorations and trim the plants in the graveyard area
• Thursday- Build the pathway display, set up the tombstones, and mow the front yard. I'll take pictures.
• Friday- Prepare & lay out bouquets, set out and hang lanterns, prepare the lights, set up the fog machine, pick up Grandmother Holidays, cue the music, and dump the leaves. Goodwill shows up at 6:30. I'll take pictures and video.

10 Day Forecast

For Round 1 of Spirit Grove III.

Friday, Oct 25

Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 40s and lows in the low 30s.

Day Oct 25

48^°FHigh

Mostly Cloudy

Chance of rain:

10%

Wind:

W at 12 mph

Humidity:

68%

Night

32^°Low

Mostly Clear

Chance of rain:

10%

Wind:

W at 7 mph

Humidity:

78%

Final Pre-Haunt Decorations

2 Weeks

...till Round 1 of Spirit Grove III: advent of the coven. On the 25th, we will be hosting a couple of local Goodwill groups. I'll take down the pre-haunt decorations by the 23rd and start building Spirit Grove III on the 24th.

More Spiders

For some reason, Toddler Holidays was especially fired up about these decorations. So far, the bats and these spiders are his favorites.

More Progress

Collecting leaves to scatter along the pathway at Halloween

We will have lots and lots of bouquets for our tombstones this year

I've been seeing a few more Halloween decorations pop up throughout the neighborhood. Overall, though, it's still pretty sparse.