Halloween on the Ave

If you, like me, think Halloween kicks off the holiday season, you would have loved the scene in Appleton Saturday night.

Angels strolled the Ave, their giant, sweeping wings heralding all the peace on earth and good will to man that’s headed our way in the coming months.

(Let’s hold on to both of those as we roll into November).

The air crackled with mischief, magic and electricity. A fork and knife posed with an electrical outlet and I told them I got a big charge out of their costumes. (That one was for you, Grandpa Vince). I’m sure they heard that joke all night, and that it never got old. Although, possibly because I’m old, they only heard that joke from me.

Either way we parted friends. In fact, the prevailing spirit Saturday was friendship. Large packs of them roamed the Avenue, many in clever, coordinating costumes. Their laughter bubbled up and set a tone that I hope lasts well into the new year.

I wanted to soak up all that good cheer and store it for more challenging days.

Scooby Doo and his gang crossed the street right in front of me. Zoinks! I had to ask them to pose for a picture. They happily obliged.

Hugh Hefner showed up with a Playboy Bunny on each arm. Just down the block from him, a taller, scarier bunny smiled and linked arms with a cheerful devil, who confused me when she said, “My coat is covering my wings but I don’t care because I’m cold.”

Lucifer in front, Gabriel in back? She knew who she was, though, and I appreciated that.

I should have directed her a few blocks down where a warm and very friendly can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup stopped to chat for a bit.

I’m going to let the pictures tell the story here.

I just wanted to share the joy and cleverness.

The great irony of Halloween, with its skeletons and ghouls, is that at its big, ole heart, it celebrates childlike joy and imagination.

Happy Halloween week!

I hope yours is spooktacular!