I never really cared about Halloween until we happened to be in my hometown for it one year (2010) and ended up going out with my family and having a blast! For the three following years it became a tradition that I really look forward to.
Is Halloween a big deal for you?
I was pumped about it this year. I actually had a few costume ideas in advance, for once! And! We were going to get to go out with my older brother and his girlfriend, who I still haven’t had a chance to share a drink with… but… wompitty womp. I have a super lame-town work schedule this week, and with Halloween being on a Friday, there was no way for me to get to my hometown (a five-hour drive) in a decent amount of time to enjoy the holiday. So we can’t go.
Sigh. I was pretty bummed.
So when I saw something about a Halloween Parade in Galena, Illinois, pop up in my Facebook feed, I though that might be a fun way to celebrate, and since it’s not too far from my hometown, I thought maybe my mom and dad would come, too.
Not only did they come, but my older brother and his kids and his girlfriend came, too!
And the parade was. a. BLAST!
This was my first time going, so I am not sure if it’s this way every year, but they went ALL out with the floats. You can’t tell very well from this picture, but this was a Frozen float, complete with “snow,” and the characters and music from the movie.
Then there was this skull “car” that spit out fire in the back!
And other, just generally, creepy stuff!
Every now and then, a float carrying a hot air balloon torch (from the same place we took our hot air balloon ride) would come by and light up the street! It was pretty exciting, cause you never knew when they were going to light it.
There were also several marching bands (two playing “Thriller,” ha ha), and lots of other floats I didn’t capture on film. The whole parade was about an hour long and the kids got a ton of candy handed to them! It was really festive and I loved it (minus the challenging parking situation, ha ha – just a TON of people in a small town – typical stuff)!
Unfortunately, though, it just made me feel more sad that I won’t be seeing my family on Halloween. So much for that curing my blues! Good thing Halloween is on a Saturday, next year!
I am sad that you can’t go too! I always look forward to your creative costume ideas 🙂 But I am so glad you got to hang with your family this weekend.
I have never been to a Halloween parade, but that looks amazing! What a fun idea, and those floats! Love it 🙂
I am happy I got to see them then, too. Any my parents may visit in November 🙂
I wonder if there are any other parades like this around us!
This looks so cool! I actually hate Halloween, mainly because the planning (costumes, events, etc.) stresses me out, but I might actually venture out this year and attend a parade here in NYC as well 🙂
Cool! I hope you have a good time! 🙂
That looks so fun! I haven’t done anything for the actual Halloween in a few years- I really wanted to dress our dogs up this year (and make Sushi into an actual sushi roll), but we are going to be in the middle of a 9 hour drive to PA instead. whomp whomp.
As a Mom I actually am glad it’s a Friday and not like a regular weekday.
Also, love you wearing your marathon shirt =)
I’ve never been a fan of Halloween. But seeing my youngest get so excited about her costume and trick or treating really helps brighten my lack of holiday spirit.
I LOVE Halloween, but unfortunately Jakre does not. In our 7 years together, we have dressed up once. Granted, it was in epic fashion, but still. I have all of these ideas, and no one to costume up with me 🙁
Great series of photos. 🙂
I’m so glad you got to celebrate halloween with your family anyway – sounds like it it was a fun evening!
Wow, Galena really goes all out! I’ve never heard of a town having a holiday parade before. (Actually, when we lived in Illinois, it seemed like people did a lot more for Halloween than I was used to coming from the East coast.) That’s great that your family came to the parade too, but it sucks that it reminded you that you can’t be together on the actual day.
Do you have plans for Halloween anyway?
I wonder if people just do more for Halloween in college towns, in general!
No, no Halloween plans. I am not sure when I will get home from work that day, and I feel so drained this week we’ll probably keep it quiet. Are you guys doing anything?