Halloween in Manchester - A Spooktacular Event for Young and Old Alike!

I've always loved Halloween.  It's a fun holiday, but a low-key holiday-no cooking, no gift shopping, decorating as much-or as little-as you want, and candy.  Lots and lots of candy! 

When I was a kid, there was nothing better than dressing up in a cool costume and coming home with a sackful of treats guaranteed to keep dentists everywhere in business until the next Halloween. 

During the teenage and young adult years, trick-or-treating gave way to thinking up clever, inexpensive costumes to wear to parties, and there was still candy involved, so it was still my favorite holiday.

Then came the years as a parent.  There really was nothing more fun than helping my children find the perfect Halloween costume.  I mean, is there anything cuter than a little girl pirate, a little redhead dressed up as Ariel the Mermaid, or a little boy dressed up as Woody from Toy Story? 

And the cool thing was, they didn't just wear their costumes on Halloween.  Both our church and the kids' elementary school had a Halloween events that children could attend, raking in even more candy as they went from car to car during "trick or trunk" festivities. 

But by far their favorite activity was the Halloween Festival, which to this day continues as an annual event in Manchester. Games, hay rides, pumpkins, and (what else!) lots of candy made this a popular event for my kids each and every year. It was always fun to head to the park, get some hot chocolate and watch all the little ghouls and goblins running hither and yon and having a blast. 

This year will be no exception.  On Friday, October 28th, the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department held the annual event for kids ages 2-12 (and, of course, their camera-toting parents!).

And though my teenagers have long since given up the Manchester Halloween Festival, I will be there this year as a volunteer-listening to corny trick or treat jokes, helping kids play games, and yes, eating lots of candy!