November 1, 2021

HALLOWEEN 2.021 BIG SUCEESS AFTER LAST YEAR’S SCARY NIGHT OF COVID TERROR

Halloween 2.021 got kids and their families out of the house.

And opened doors to a renewed reality after looking back on 2020’s scary experience.

Trick o’ treating and shelling out was a lot more relaxed and less fraught with worry last night as everyone seemed to enjoy the outdoor gatherings across Muskoka.

And the weather cooperated after an afternoon of breezes gave way to decent temperatures — and not the usual rain that often accompanies a night of prowling and no more pranks.

Always a popular destination in Gravenhurst, streets in the Wartime Houses neighbourhood were crowded with all manner of super heroes, cartoon characters, ghosts and goblins, princesses — and even Sponge Bob Square Pants.

Homeowner Dave Thomas was busy atop his castle on Pinegrove Street, where he had a candy shoot and lots of lights and lots of cool carved pumpkins.

Over on Fairview Drive, Dave Duncan was surprised when the giant kitty cat he put on his roof to scare the kids actually turned his menacingly while looking down on the front yard.

And the giant inflatable pumpkin perched on his front porch stoop was easier to put up than other years when he had to climb his front tree to get set it. The family of skeletons he usually digs up were on display at his daughter’s home.

Neighbourhood matriarch Doreen Forsythe oversaw the comings and going in the front window of her home on Crescent Drive, waving to the kids while wearing a wicked witch’s hat.

John Oke filled up his doorway in an inflatable pizza apron and hat.

He said his numbers were down over last year. But that was early on.

Local roads in various neighbourhoods were for the most part busier and more upbeat than last Halloween.

A good sign for Christmas and 2022.