PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — Known for its scenic views, Prospect Park held a scarier theme Saturday for the upcoming Halloween. Despite the windy weather, the park was lively with The Monster Mash song blasting for its annual Halloween Haunted Walk and Carnival.
One of the hundreds of parents at the park with their children, Rebecca says that this event is great for kicking off the holiday. “We like Halloween, so we’re down here to give the kids more nature,” she said as she pulled her tot from an open brook in the park. “We enjoy the park.”
Children dressed as Batman and Princesses walked through the walk where ghouls and goblins bolted from out the blue ready to surprise any little victims brave enough to walk the path. But these spooks were not the typical malevolent ones, they were all volunteers hoping to make the best of everyone’s Halloween this year.
“I just want to have fun scaring the pants of little kids,” one volunteer said jokingly. He added, “Kids need to enjoy their Halloween and that’s what I’m volunteering for.”
“This is my first Halloween at Prospect Park, and I’m having a great time,” said one mom. She was with her three kids, after getting their faces painted. Candy bags were everywhere to build up the spirit of Halloween.
“I love candy, and I like getting my face painted,” said one boy.
In addition to the face painting, and the haunted walk, there was also a scary story time at the Lefferts Historic House for anyone who was interested. Among the masses of volunteers, were young female missionaries. They came from around the country and helped out by making arts and crafts with hundreds of children from the New York City area.
“I love it. It increases my appreciation for Brooklyn since I am not from here,” said a nun who was part of the missionary.
Indeed, the other missionaries also said they loved volunteering at the festival and were appreciative they had the ability to help out. Halloween season isn’t the only time the sisters participate; they also do volunteer work every Wednesday in the park. The missionaries are in New York for a year and a half as part of a missionary program at their churches. One volunteer from Ohio was very excited to bet there.
Other activities that took place at Prospect Park include the Haunted Walk, Haunted Carnival and Haunted Carousel.
The families at the park highly anticipated the event of the day, which was the Haunted Walk. Volunteers in costume as vampires, zombies, and creepy old men (strikingly similar to the ones commonly seen in Scooby-Doo mysteries) were also excited about the event. “It doesn’t feel like Halloween until you scare the pants off some one” said one volunteer dressed as a dead colonel. “So yea, I’m here to join the festive fun… and scare little kids,” he said before scurrying off to scare a child dressed as a pumpkin. At the carnival, children were giggling and excited about getting their faces painted. “It’s fun to see friends and to see the different costumes” said Malaika Rumeka, 9. Rumeka’s best friend, Grace Kurkqood, 9, agreed stating, “It’s more festive.”
There were many kids running around in costumes enjoying themselves, as well as adults, including Daniel and Amanda who were having a blast with their mother Laura. Daniel had so much fun he said he didn’t remember what he was playing. “I had fun hitting the cans and playing Frisbee,” said Amanda.
