26 Oct 2013
Fall

Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places

Halloween-Greenfield-Village-3

Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village is one of those things that’s been on my to-do list since I moved up here. Originally intrigued by the idea of a Halloween-themed event, but a little hesitant because I’m a wimp when it comes to haunted houses and the like, I took two years to finally buckle down and buy some tickets.

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes
As it turns out, it’s a good thing I didn’t shy away from the event. What I originally imagined as a super-creepy haunted village was actually a lot of fun–just the right amount of spooky (not scary) for families with small kids (and people like me who have a low level of scare-tolerance).
Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes
Above: Costumed kids trick-or-treat outside the Main Street Emporium.

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes

The village looked awesome. Jack-o’-lanterns lined the streets (remind me to get in on the carving action next year!), side shows and movies waited in every corner, and candy stations dotted the path for a little trick-or-treating fun. I was actually surprised to find out that the event was set up as a self-guided tour along a pumpkin-lit path (rather than a free-for-all throughout the village), but I kind of liked that idea better since it didn’t involve wandering into dark, hundreds-of-years-old houses in the middle of the night.

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes
Above: Fun-loving skeletons play music and dance on the village gazebo.
Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes
Above: A pop-up theater played old Betty Boop and Looney Tunes-type movies.
Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes
Above: Stages were set up for dramatic readings of stories such as The Tell-Tale Heart and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes
Above: The FOOD. This gigantic caramel apple officially made my night.
One of my favorite stops? The singing Jack-o’-lanterns, of course! These guys put on an awesome show.
“Jaaaack-o’-lannnntern . . . “

Lots of colorfully-costumed characters also greeted us along the way, taking on an old-time Halloween style:

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes

But Halloween isn’t Halloween without at least a little spook, right? No worries–there was plenty of that (it just wasn’t over-the-top terrifying).

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes
Above: Ghostly Woman Wandering In The Night

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes

Above: Creepy McCreep Face, a.k.a., “The Face on the Wall.”
He talked to passersby and contributed to the general creep factor of the evening.

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes
Above: What lies beyond this “doorway?” Dun dun dunnn.

On the way out, I had to catch a glimpse of the Headless Horseman, who had been riding through the village all night. How does a person accurately guide a horse in the dark without eyes, anyway? Galloping past the onlooking crowd, the costumed Sleepy Hollow villain took a swipe at us with his sword, but I ducked out of the way just in time. And I’m sure you’re glad that I lived to tell the tale.

Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village: Glowing Faces in Old-Time Places | via Wading in Big Shoes
Camera flashes have a way of taking the fear factor out of some things, but to have this guy charge towards you in the dark–you forget for a second that he’s not really out to make you his next prize.

Are you a fright-seeker during Halloween, or like me and just in it for the candy and festivities? Share your favorite Halloween stories in the comment section below!

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Hi! I'm Jennifer.

Southwest Virginia born and raised, I moved over 500 miles to Southeast Michigan with my husband in 2011. Since then, I’ve been recording my adventures here, bringing you stories as I explore the “mitten state,” the midwest, and beyond.

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