Who Said Halloween Is Just For Kids? 10/28/09

After yesterday’s story on the closing of the Grand, I figured we all could use a few laughs.  I’ve been holding on to these photographs I took last Saturday night downtown for just that reason, and I want to share them with you today. 

On the Saturday night of the weekend before Halloween, there are two traditions  on Mackinac Island.  One tradition is for the children to visit all the businesses downtown and trick-or-treat.  The kids also trick-or-treat on the real Halloween night, so the first one is kind of like a practice run.  The second tradition is that all the adults (I refuse to say “grown-ups”) dress up in the most outrageous costumes that can imagine and have a good old time walking up and down Main Street – visiting Horn’s Bar, Sinclair’s Irish Pub, and the Pink Pony. 

Now some of you out there are saying (I can hear you), “That’s just an excuse to run around and act crazy and drink.”  If you are out there saying that, I only have one thing to say to you – you are exactly right!

But you know what?  It was soooo much fun!  Ted and I had asked Jill to go to dinner with us Saturday.  She didn’t know how many more days she would be on the island, and we wanted to take her out before she left.  None of us dressed in costumes.  Jill, who has seen a lot of these “adult” Halloween parties on the island, couldn’t wait to see my face and Ted’s when we saw the elaborate lengths people go to.  There’s even a contest with prize money! 

Since this is a G-rated blog, I am going to be very selective in the photos I post, but let’s just say there were a few costumes of the NOT G-rated variety.

We ate dinner at the Harborview Dining Room at the Chippewa Hotel, and we had barely gotten seated when Nadine, the Chip’s Sales Manager (dressed as a very attractive policewoman), walked in and slapped her handcuffs on Ted.  Thank goodness she decided to let him go on the grounds that he wouldn’t be able to pay for our meal while he was “locked up”.

Ted had just gotten seated, when another attractive lady walked over to say hello to everyone.  It was Sandy, who Ted worked with at the Visitor’s Center this summer.  I think she was dressed as a caberet performer – that is my best guess anyway.

When we finished our meal, we just wandered around town and took pictures, so I will caption the rest of the photos.  Unfortunately, I did not know what or who a lot of these people were supposed to be.  But I give them all an “A” for creativity, design, and sheer bravado to wear some of these costumes.  Here goes!

A trio of pirates, straight off their ship, and looking for trouble.

Two of the prettiest "witches" I've ever seen, sitting on the sofa in the Chippewa Hotel lobby.

A big crowd of wizards and witches (and other magical characters).

My best guess? Wizards from one of the Harry Potter movies? I'm so not up to date on all this!

The only way I knew this was Brian (General Manager of the Chippewa and the Lilac Tree Hotels) is because Brian is taller than anyone else on the island. His wife, Jeri-Lyn, gets an A+ for her costume of the Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch of the North (Geez, I hope that's who she was)!

 

Cute Julie - the Front Desk Manager at the Chippewa - pretending to be a pirate.

Here you immediately see Batman. But you have to look down that long hall on the left to see the Y-M-C-A Village People cowboy heading for the men's room.

Two bright blue eyes on the back of a very bald head. And yes, that is a yellow spider on his ear.

The Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz?

Bat Girl and . . . . . . . I have no idea.

Two headless people. Really weird looking from the back. Their heads were where their chests should be.

A real bonehead.

A robot and a conehead - and a couple in the left corner who look like they just landed in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Could be Father Time.

Ted and Julie, the Pirate

 

Cute Katie - the last time you saw her she was saying goodbye to her horse Pasha at the ferry dock.

My absolute favorite - a group of friends dressed as pink flamingos.

Now, if you have a Halloween costume party to go to this weekend, and are stuck for an idea, the pictures above should give you something to think about.  BUT, if none of those help, I offer this last idea. 

OCTO-MOM! 

About these ads