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I saw a kid dressed as a whoopee cushion on Friday night.
I’m not sure I ever would have expected to begin a column that way, but that’s the type of thing that deserves its own introduction. Of all the reasons to love “Halloween on Broadway,” I think the creativity of Louisburg’s kids (and, more than likely, its moms) has to be at the top of the list.
You see, when I was a kid, my Halloween costumes were always pretty awesome. I’d come to my mom with an idea, usually one bearing the hallmarks of a typically unrealistic child imagination, and she would always come through in the clutch. One year, for example, I wanted to be He-Man, and not just any He-Man. No, I had to have a realistic replica of the Prince of Eternia’s sword and body-armor, stopping just shy of asking Mom to track down a live Bengal tiger, so that I could paint him green, strap a saddle on him and call him “Battle-Cat.”
Like I said, I had something of an overactive imagination.
Looking back, I really took for granted how much work she put into those costumes. My mom was practically a magician with cloth and cardboard, and my siblings and I always left for our school Halloween parties bursting with pride.
I think she would have loved downtown Louisburg on Friday night. Among the hundreds of trick-or-treaters to participate in Halloween on Broadway, there was, of course, the aforementioned whoopee cushion. There were superheroes and movie princesses, vampires and Clone Troopers. There was even a wonderfully realistic Pillsbury Doughboy, complete with baker’s hat and characteristic laugh.
Despite the chilly temperatures, everyone was having so much fun that my inner-child was kicking me for not dressing up myself. I think that’s going to be a requirement for next year’s event.
I’ve told a number of people around the community this, but I came to Louisburg at just the right time. There have been so many unique and community-oriented events in my two months on the job that it’s really given me a chance to see what makes this town tick. Halloween on Broadway is just another example of that.
Last week, I spoke with a couple of local businessmen, Damon Dennis and Craig Holtzen, about why the event was so well-attended. I was stunned when someone had told me that the 2008 celebration drew more than 400 costumed kids and their families to downtown. They both said this was one of those times when the town could come together for an evening of fun and friendship that just isn’t possible in larger cities, and having lived in and covered such cities myself, I would be inclined to agree.
My wife and I had about eight trick-or-treaters stop by our home in Overland Park on Saturday night, much to Katlin’s dismay. In the two hours that we sat parked outside of the Herald on Friday night (we ran out of candy at that point), we had almost 50 times that number. That’s incredible, and it showed me yet again just how much community spirit the city of Louisburg has. Events like the Labor Day festivities and Halloween on Broadway only serve to help that spirit continue to grow, and the city is better for them.
So kudos to all you kids, and moms, who helped make Friday such a success. I certainly came away impressed.
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