With the Halloween holiday around the corner on October 31 (that’s a Tuesday this year), we’ll soon be enjoying our favorite candy, admiring our neighbors’ decorations and checking out the best costumes of the year.
The Halloween holiday has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
The Marple community always offers plenty of opportunities to celebrate Halloween. From dressing up and gathering at trunk-or-treats to neighborhood parties and school parades, festivities often start weeks before the actual holiday.
Marple Township will be holding their 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 21st from 5:30-7pm at the Marple Township Building at 227 S. Sproul Road. Registration is ONLY required for residents who will be handing out candy and information will be located on the township website
and Facebook.
On October 24, the Marple Library will be hosting a Halloween Party. Goblins and ghouls are welcome to come for treats, crafts, games and a dance party. Feel free to dress up in your best “not so scary” costume if you wish. The event is sponsored by Speer Swim School and will be held from
4-6pm in the large meeting room.
If you want to check out the spookiest houses in Marple and beyond, use the FrightMaps App. This free app is the creation of Marple Newtown High School grad Mike Kane. Anyone with an elaborate Halloween display can upload a photo of their house with a title, brief description and location. For people looking for Halloween displays, the app’s built-in map shows where these attractions are. Just tap an icon and the information pops right up. The app also allows visitors to “like” the display and even add comments. “FrightMaps is a round-up of every major Halloween display in America and features home haunts, the biggest attractions and a place to post and view some pumpkins!” explained Mike.
You won’t have to go far to find one of the most elaborate Halloween displays in Delaware County. Broomall resident John DiMeo’s Monster House Delco is back with a series of Halloween projection shows that will run every weekend in October at his home on Sylvan Drive. “It started out as just being something fun for the neighborhood,” John explained. “Now we’ve got people coming from all over. It’s fun to see a crowd get out of their cars and enjoy the shows.”
John is a 1997 Marple Newtown High School grad who works in information technology and marketing. He and his family have been decorating his home for the holidays since they moved in 18 years ago. He started with just lights, then moved on to inflatables and added video projection for his
Christmas and Halloween displays. “I think people need a little bit more enjoyment and reasons to get out, get off their electronic devices and spend more time with their families,” John said. “People can come out and interact and just enjoy themselves. That’s why we do it!”
This year’s Monster House Delco Halloween lineup includes different shows all set to music. With themes like
Haunted Mansion, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, This is Halloween, Stranger Things and Clown House (Based on Stephen King’s book It), there is something for everyone. New this year is Hocus Pocus! For showtimes visit the Monster House Delco Facebook page.
There is no shortage of fun Halloween-themed activities in our community. Whether you’re looking to chill at home with a scary movie, or a thrill out on the town, Marple has plenty of Halloween activities to ring in the spooky season. Visit our calendar of events on pages 22 & 23 for more Halloween and fall-themed events.