Is Halloween The New Christmas - Without Presents?

The only thing comparable to the Village Halloween Parade would be Mardi Gras. For those few hours I stepped into another world. The colors, costumes, and the vibrancy of the crowd were all consuming. People forgot about their jobs, forgot about their anxieties, their errands and bills and for those few hours took on a fantasy roll whether it be the zombies from Michael Jackson’s Thriller or Beetle juice. I was in awe and completely appreciative I got to experience this event up close and personal and not from the sidelines.

The first time I visited Disney World with my family, my sibilings were around eight and ten years old. I was at the peak of my completely self consumed teenage years and believed taking a family vacation to the most magical place in the world was totally lame. As we entered the park and my sister first laid eyes on Cinderella’s castle she started crying out of pure happiness. She kept saying, “Can’t you feel the magic?” It wasn’t until many years later that I grew to appreciate this. I can’t remember the last time I let my imagination run wild or truly felt that magic of make believe. For the first time since my sister’s face to face meeting with Mickey Mouse I saw that magic again in the eyes of the kids at the Parade. To them Halloween isn’t about dressing up in skanky outfits or using a mask to cover up public intoxication – it’s about that magic in playing pretend. It’s a blending of worlds most adults can’t enjoy or understand. What I wouldn’t give to see the world again through the eyes of a child.

I honestly don’t believe my photos captured that enchantment in their eyes. Yet here are a few of my favorites mixed in with those adults that embodied what Halloween should be about. Eiting is a tedious and long process and as I finish off more I’ll be sure to add them to the collection.

Enjoy.