Come Tuesday, hundreds of costumed tots and their parents or guardians will descend upon West Philly streets for trick-or-treating. Neighbors usually buy a lot of sweet treats to give away but do they always buy the “right” sweets?

As you may have noticed, many kids are very selective about what kind of candy they want. This Halloween, a group of University of Pennsylvania students will be conducting a Halloween Data Project, trying to identify the most popular candy for West Philly kids.

“The general plan is to walk around on Tuesday during trick or treat, get permission from parents/guardians first and then ask kids their favorite candy,” writes Ethan Markwalter, a senior at Penn studying statistics. “We were also thinking about noting their costume too. For example, that way we know Batman likes snickers.”

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Get your spooky/funny/cute costumes ready for the annual Spruce Hill “Tot” Halloween Parade! The great neighborhood tradition returns Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Gathering begins at 4 p.m. at 45th and Larchwood, and the parade kicks off at 4:30. The parade ends at 42nd and Osage where party-goers are invited to get treats, like cider and baked goods, from “Little Osage” neighbors and local businesses.

Every year, hundreds of costumed tots (ages 6 and under) and their parents or guardians participate in the parade organized by the Spruce Hill Community Association. This is a fun and family-friendly event for the local community with plenty of trick-or-treating possibilities in the neighborhood!

For more October events, check out this post.

October is here and we’re happy to share some interesting and spooky events for adults and children alike happening in the neighborhood. Here’s what will go down at the historic Woodlands cemetery and mansion, Penn Museum, Bartram’s Garden, local libraries, and more locations.

The Woodlands (40th and Woodland)

Nature Nights: Raptor Night
Thu, Oct. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Explore The Woodlands after dark and learn about the hawks, owls and other raptors who live there. Meet live birds with Courtney Douds, aka Raptor Jawns, and discover some of the mysteries of the urban wildlife that calls The Woodlands home. This event is free and open to the public but pre-registration is recommended. Click here for more info.

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Families are invited to take part in fun Halloween/Fall events hosted by local non-profit organizations: Spruce Hill Community Association, Penn Museum, The Woodlands, and CinéSPEAK. Here are more details:

Halloween Family Fun Day

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled due to rain in the forecast for Sunday, Oct. 23.

The Woodlands (40th and Woodland), is hosting its annual Halloween Family Fun Day. This year’s Family Fun Day will feature a pop up Mini Mütter Museum, and performances by Karen Smith’s “Spiritual Atmosferic Cleansing” and Tangle Movement Arts. Philadelphia Orchard Project’s (POP) Learning Orchard, located at The Woodlands, will be open for visitors throughout the event. Go here for more details. Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association is inviting families to kick off their trick-or-treating festivities at Clark Park, where the annual Halloween Tot Parade will be held this year. The decision to move the parade, which traditionally kicks off at 45th and Baltimore and proceeds down 45th St. to Osage Ave., was made because of COVID safety precautions.

The 2021 parade will take place around Clark Park and will not culminate in the traditional Osage Ave. block party, according to the organizers. Gathering begins at 4 p.m. at 43rd and Baltimore and the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. The Penn Drum Line will participate in the event, and there will be treats and other fun activities.

The organizers are asking attendees to wear masks – the scary kind and the COVID-safe kind – and to follow social distancing guidelines.

If you have been waiting for news about the Spruce Hill Halloween “Tot” Parade, here is a short update for now: the popular annual event that draws hundreds of participants will not return this year in its usual form, according to the organizers, the Spruce Hill Community Association. However, a smaller event is being planned in the neighborhood. Stay tuned for more information.

Families are also invited to celebrate Halloween at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) during Halloween Family Fun Day. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 24 from Noon to 3 p.m. and will feature a digital Halloween themed self-guided tour, and performances by Tangle Movement Arts and Karen Smith’s “Spiritual Atmospheric Cleansing.” Also after a hiatus, All Hallow’s Read, a spooky book event, will return this year as part of the Family Fun Day. Please bring a spooky or seasonal book to swap. Readers of all ages and spooky costumes of all kinds are welcome. Go here for more info. Continue Reading