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Smaller Halloween celebration doesn’t mean less fun

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Staff

By Beth Mechum, Staff Writer

Hilarious costumes, unfortunate costumes, crowds of people, fake blood, “too soon” jokes (we’re looking at you, Michael Jacksons) and maybe even some candy.

Halloween in Orange County just wouldn’t feel right without these things.
It’s another Homegrown Halloween for Chapel Hill, where town leaders are hoping to decrease the numbers flocking to Franklin St. by even more than last year.

The number of people spending Halloween on Franklin Street last year went down from about 80,000 to about 35,000. The town’s goal is to have about 10,000 to 15,000 people attend annually.

“Halloween has always been a student-driven, local, fun event in Chapel Hill and we want to keep it that way. That’s why we’re taking steps again this year to increase safety and limit the size of the event on Franklin St,” Mayor Kevin Foy wrote in a public service announcement to the town.

There’s a reason so many people want to come to Chapel Hill for Halloween: It’s fun. Over the years, students and residents alike have shown their creativity in costume creation, and this year looks to be no different.

Sid’s Surplus in Carrboro is a major player in the costume-creation business.
“We think of ourselves as world-famous Halloweenists here; it’s our favorite time of year,” said Sid, who goes by just the one name.

Sid said he’s had everyone from age 9 to 90 in the store looking for costumes. He was expecting a lot of Michael Jackson costumes this year (he has the jackets to supply it), but so far it’s been slow for the Thriller-themed bunch.

Time after Time vintage shop manager Autumn Spencer said she hadn’t seen a lot of Michael Jackson costumes either, but that pirates will be in full force.

Group costumes are popular this year, Sid said, with Top Gun characters, Ghostbusters and Gilligan’s Island all getting a lot of play.

“It’s one of the most self-indulgent holidays we have,” he said. “Everybody is getting into it, everybody is finding something to stimulate the senses. It’s going good.”

Things to know:
• there will be little to no parking available close to downtown;
• vehicles parked on streets to be closed will be towed beginning at 6 p.m.;
• prohibited items on Franklin St. include anything that can be used a weapon, glass bottles, paint, fireworks and explosives, flammable substances, animals and coolers;
• there will be no bus shuttles and Safe Ride buses will operate from 11 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

If you have any questions, visit townofchapelhill.org/Halloween, and for bus schedules go to townofchapelhill.org/transit

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