Halloween is my favorite holiday. Actually, that's not true. Christmas is my favorite holiday, but Halloween is a close second. Perhaps it's because my mother encouraged my brother and I to use our imagination on a daily basis when we were kids, and further supported our costume obsession by creating a "dress-up box", which contained our old Halloween costumes and her old clothes from the ‘60's and early 70's. To say nothing of her wigs.  Or perhaps it's simply the fun of being someone or something else for a short span of time, with very few consequences. Regardless, I think the whole thing is a hoot.

And Baltimore agrees! There are many Halloween festivities taking place throughout the city; not just the one in Fells Point. (Unless you're of a certain age-group and alcohol tolerance level, I might give that party a miss...) I do advocate going to the Lantern Parade in Patterson Park, but that took place last weekend. It's an annual event, however, so keep it on your radar screen for next year.

Because this blog is primarily about Mount Vernon, I would like to highlight an activity that is taking place for the first time in my neighborhood. First, a disclaimer: I will not be at this event, as I am already volunteering at the Fall Festival at my church, University Baptist. www.ubcbaltimore.org  At 5pm, tomorrow, the parking lot of UBC will welcome kiddies to "trunk or treat" (getting candy from trunks of cars that have been decorated,) bounce on the moon bounce, and play various carnival games. I will be dressed as a pirate, running one of said games. However, if I was not volunteering at that event, I would be at the 1^st Annual Mount Vernon Halloween Spooktacular. The United Methodist Church, along with support from the Friends of Mount Vernon Place, the Mount Vernon Belvedere Association, and the Mount Vernon Children's Park are sponsoring this event on Saturday, October 31, from 4pm to 8pm at Davis Hall in the church. 10 East Mt Vernon Place.  www.friendsofmountvernonplace.org     www.mvba.org/livingmv/childrenspark.html#park            www.mvp-umc.org

The Spooktacular is free and the public is welcome. It is geared towards kids ages 12 and under. There will be a Haunted House, games, and refreshments, plus a Trick or Treat Walk starting at 5:30! For more information, please get in touch Cathy Rosenbaum at 410-560-0180 or  Cathy@CCRRAR.com

Happy Halloween!