Halloween a big deal here, and for my family

BY Aprile McKinnon

October is one of my favorite times of the year. I am looking forward to all of the Halloween festivities. Last year my friends and I participated in the Canyon Lake Halloween Town. Mark Jones, my dear friend, made an old-school haunted maze. We laughed so hard when teenagers would scream in high pitch voices as we scared them when they left the maze.

When my kids and I moved to Canyon Lake, we were so excited to see all that Canyon Lake has to offer for the holidays. Especially Halloween. I remember taking my son when he was young to participate in the Parade of Frights at the Town Center and watching the pet parade where people dressed up their dogs. My family and I thought we had found the city we would never want to leave. What fun it was to trick or treat on Lighthouse. My kids thought it was off the hook.

My friends and I pose outside the Halloween Maze we set up for Halloween Town last year. Pictured are from left, Tracey Sempson, me, Christine Hedin, and Marie Flores.Photo by Aprile DeAnne McKinnon

Halloween has always been a big deal in our family. My kids and I always had a Halloween porch or a haunted house and every year we did a different theme. One year we did a carnival and my mother made clown outfits that fit over stilts. The kids chased people around while on stilts along with their father (who was the one who taught them how to walk on the stilts).

I always had a tradition that my mother started when I was a child of making potato soup and chili on Halloween and inviting family and friends over. I feel guilty to this day if I don’t make potato soup because it is just what we have done for years.

Oh, by the way, I am definitely one of those pumpkin spice girls people like to make fun of. I love the fall drinks and smells. My favorite halloween drink is my spiced and/or spiked apple cider. Last year, the weather was too hot to really enjoy the warm drink. I am hoping we have a crisp Halloween night this year.

I am looking forward to seeing all of the creativity this town has when it comes to decorating this Halloween season. Please start sending your decorated houses and email them to me so we can feature some of your amazing creations.

Enjoy the month and stay safe. Please email me any of your pictures or special interest stories you would like to share at aprile@goldingpublications.com.