Because I'm not ready to let it go just yet, here's a little coda to my Halloween experience.
As is tradition, I make up goodie bags in the morning while watching YouTube compilations of Halloween TV ads from the 70s-90s. I changed it up for candy this year. Usually I get one bag of chocolate something and a second bag of non-chocolate candy. This year, I picked up some candy jewelry at Dollar Tree, Blow Pops, and a mixed bag of chocolate and other candy.
Last year, I picked up a bunch of the Halloween "fun size" Pez dispensers at post-holiday discount. I tossed those in the bags with candy and a plastic ring. I like giving the kids something extra other than candy. Their candy may be around for another week or two, but I like to think I'm giving them something to remind them of Halloween beyond that. This year, a lot of the kids were super excited that we were handing out goodie bags! I always hope that's the reaction when they empty out their haul later so it was nice to actually see their reaction.
Once darkness arrived, it was time to head into Salem. Don't worry, I left stuff on the porch for any kids that may come by.
Last year, it was a balmy 70 degrees at night! This year it was mid-50s, not "cold" by New England standards but we had quite a wind which made it a bit colder and also provided for good dramatic cape billowing as I walked around.
I have a spot that I go to outside the Peabody Essex Museum (fantastic place, a must see if you're visiting) and just hang out. For the most part, I stand still and watch people as say to their friends "is that a real guy?" Sometimes I'll move my head to follow them walking by and nod or wave.
A lot of folks stop to take a pic with me, which I take as a great compliment. I posted to a Salem Facebook group asking if anyone had pics with me because I rarely get to see them and this is one of the replies I got.
One of the best parts of the night was having a little kid, that couldn't have been more than five or six, in a full body Huggy Wuggy costume want to take a pic with me and then giving me a hug. There are adults that will actively avoid me and this kid had zero fear.
Another fun thing that happened was when someone dressed as Freddie Mercury (jeans, white tank top, and 'stache) walked by with a rolling suitcase that had a sound system inside blasting We Are the Champions. And just like that, a lot of the surrounding crowd just started singing along. It was kind of a magical, uplifting thing to hear so many people join in and have fun.
