Halloween is just around the corner and many families are starting preparations – stocking up on candy, purchasing or making costumes and decorating their homes. Some less fortunate families, including the homeless families assisted by local nonprofit Families Forward (FFP), will need help creating memories for their children this October that will last a lifetime.

FFP is organizing an annual Halloween Party and expect to have over 100 children in attendance. You can help make it a memorable event by donating the following items:

• New or gently used costumes (clean and in good condition)
• Snacks (chips, pretzels, juice, and cookies)
• Candy
• Halloween decorations
• Toys or stickers
• Toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss

If you have friends, family members, co-workers or neighbors who may have old costumes lying around, ask them to donate them to the children at FFP. With your contribution these children will be able to dress up in their costumes just like other kids for the Halloween party on October 31.

You may drop off donations at FFP’s emergency shelter located at 111 N. 49th Street any day of the week before 7:00 p.m.

To coordinate a drive or donate any of these items above contact Grace Hightower, Director of Fund Development at 215-240-4828 or ghightower@familiesforwardphilly.org.

Photo from Philly Thriller Facebook page.

Many of our readers have probably seen this group perform in the streets of West Philly and near the Haunted House at 46th and Springfield on Halloween nights. Now, in its 5th year, Philly Thriller is planning to return for Halloween 2013 and they need some dancers. If you want to join in on the fun for a night of performing a short Thriller-inspired dance routine, read on.

Rehearsals begin on Friday, Oct. 18 at the University City Arts League (4226 Spruce St.). Performances are on Halloween (Thursday, Oct. 31) all over West Philly.

The show is choreographed and co-directed by Sammy Reyes of Sambruca Productions. Here are some of the Q & A’s compiled by Philly Thriller for those interested in joining the group:

Q: When are rehearsals?

A: There will be four in all. Rehearsals will be on:

Friday, October 18, 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 20, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Friday, October 25, 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 27, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Q: How can I participate?

A: To participate, you must reserve a spot by registering. You must also be 18 or over.

Q: How much does it cost to participate?

A: Participation is FREE HOWEVER…If you come and have a blast (which we are sure you will) we just ask that you make a donation at each rehearsal to help us defray costs of the production. We’ll accept more if you have it and less if you don’t, but no one is turned away for lack of funds. This project is a labor of love. There is no profit made. It’s put on with a shoestring budget and with a little help from participants, friends, and neighbors. No contribution is too big or too small. One dollar? One million dollars? We’ll take it!!

Q: When are performances?

A: Halloween, Thursday, October 31, 2013 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. depending on weather and other factors. Dancers, we will meet at 2:45 p.m. at 4014 Walnut, The Rotunda, to get our make-up done. Please enter at the side of the building. We will return to The Rotunda by 8 p.m.

Q: Where are we performing the dance?

A: In the streets of West Philly, on Penn’s campus, possibly The Haunted Garden at 46th and Springfield (if they put it on again this year), hopefully also at some block parties maybe, parades, some other places to be determined, etc.

For more information, visit Philly Thriller’s Facebook page. For more Q & A’s click here.

Ghosts, goblins and all sorts of ghoulish creatures were out in force last night. Luckily we were able to get a bunch of photos. Check out the costumes in the gallery below. There were some great ones, but we think the best may have been Gandalf the Grey and Gollum. We don’t have the precious, but we do have the pictures.

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Get ready to show off your Halloween finest. The Annual Halloween Parade will take place in the Spruce Hill area as planned on Wednesday, Oct. 31, according to the Spruce Hill Community Association website.

Kids and parents are invited to assemble on 45th St. between Baltimore and Larchwood at 4 p.m. The parade begins at 4:30 as the crowd proceeds East on Larchwood to 43rd Street, North on 43rd to Osage, and then East to the 4200 block of Osage for treats and drinks.

To get you in the mood, check our video from last year’s parade here.

Here’s some good news for those who were planning to participate in our Pumpkin Carving Contest but had to postpone their pumpkin shopping because of the weather. We have extended the contest entry deadline for two more days! Please feel free to email your pumpkin photos to: contest@westphillylocal.com until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31.

To read more about the contest and its rules, click here.

 
Someone on the 400 block of S. 45th Street is taking a novel and seasonal approach to get out the vote. If you’ve got a jack-o’-lantern you’re proud of, take a picture of it and get it entered in our Pumpkin Carving Contest. It’s free to enter and we have great prizes from local businesses. Look here for more details.