This column first appeared in Petworth News.
As we gear up to celebrate Halloween, I wanted to share some of the many amazing Halloween events happening across our community. Chances are that you won’t have to go far from home to get your frights and treats this weekend. Thank you to every neighbor who has been planning these events or gather treats to distribute to trick-or-treaters. A friendly reminder to be extra slow and cautious if you’re driving over the course of the weekend. Let’s keep each other safe! I’m excited to see our community out and about enjoying all that Ward 4 has to offer!
Intergenerational Spooky Greets and Treats at Fort Stevens
On Friday, October 28 from 11am-5pm Fort Stevens Rec Center (1327 Van Buren St NW) will host an intergenerational Halloween event by DPR! Seniors and youth will experience spooky greets and sweet treats to welcome the fall harvest season. Please register in advance!
Raymond Rec Center Haunted House
On Friday, October 28 from 5pm-7:30pm Raymond Rec Center (3725 10th St NW) will host a frightening haunted house. Thrill-seekers looking for a scare will love a frightful trip through the Raymond Haunted House. Thank you DPR for putting on this event.
Spookyville Haunted Alley in Takoma
On Friday, October 28 from 6pm-10pm 4B02 Commissioner Erin Palmer will host the sixth annual Spookyville Haunted Alley in the alley behind 715-719 Van Buren Street NW. There will be spooky story time for kids at 6pm, boo bingo and terror tattoos at 6:30pm, a petrifying piñata at 7pm, an evil egg hunt at 7pm, a haunted alley walk and creepy campfire stories for older kids at 7:45pm, and an 8pm screening of Curse of Bridge Hollow. There will also be pizza, smores, popcorn, cotton candy, moon music, creepy crafts, ghostly games, and monster music!
Nightmare on 14th Street at Bull Bar and Toro Bar
On Friday, October 28 starting at 8pm the Bull Bar and Toro Bar are teaming up to host their Nightmare on 14th Street Halloween Party at 4622 14th Street NW. There will be a cash prize for best costume and music provided by DJ Teo.
St. Paul’s Rock Creek Church Halloween Spook-tacular!
On Saturday October 29 from 5pm-8pm St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Rock Creek Church Road & Webster St NW) will host its Halloween Spook-tacular party with a haunted house, treats, spooky crafts, cemetery hayrides, and pumpkin decorating! The event is free but accepting canned goods for its food bank.
Dia de los Muertos at Petworth Community Market
On Saturday October 29 at 9am-1pm the Petworth Arts Collaborative will be hosting El Dia de los Muertos at the Petworth Community Market (9th & Upshur). There will first be a community ofrenda, altar-making workshop. Neighbors are invited to bring a photo of a loved one or other memento to make their own ofrenda with an option to add to the larger community ofrenda. Then at 12pm there will be a Mariachi-led community procession to the Petworth Library, bringing the community altar there to be on display until November 2.
Culture Coffee Too Pumpkin Patch and Pet Party in Riggs Park
On Saturday, October 29 from 12pm-2pm Culture Coffee Too in Riggs Park (300 Riggs Rd NE) will host their fifth annual pumpkin patch and pet party! The festivities will include a performance from the Davis Center Dance Troupe, face painting, pumpkin painting, and a pet costume contest.
BOOchanan Street Halloween Block Party
On Saturday October 29 at 5pm-8pm the 1500 block of Buchanan Street will host its Halloween block party with food, moon bounce, box maze, spooky piñata, and more! The street will be closed to car traffic starting at 3pm, and the rain date is October 31. All are welcome!
Red Derby Monster Bash and Halloween Party
On Saturday, October 29 from 7pm until closing Red Derby (3718 14th St NW) will host their annual Monster Bash and Halloween Party. They’ll have tarot readings, great music, drink specials, and costumes for all Halloween celebrants.
ANXO Happy Trees Harvest Festival on Kennedy Street
On Sunday, October 30 from 12pm-5pm ANXO and Brightwood Pizza (711 Kennedy Street) will host their annual Happy Trees Harvest Festival. Join them as they crush apples all day long, host a dog costume contest at 2pm, enjoy burgers, and serve hot mulled cider and special cocktails. Dress as Bob Ross or a Happy Tree and get 25% off your tab!
2nd Annual SPet-tacular Halloween Parade and Costume Contest
On Sunday, October 30 from 2pm-4pm the Shepherd Park Citizens Association is hosting its second annual SPet-tacular Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at the Parks at Walter Reed. Dress up your dog to impress and win a prize! I’m excited to serve as a judge for the pet costume contest. RSVP and see you there!
Sherman Circle Halloween Spooktacular
On Sunday, October 30 from 3pm-6pm Petworth Peanuts and ANC 4D are bringing back the Sherman Circle Spooktacular, a free Halloween event at Sherman Circle and the surrounding parks. Activities will include face painting, a magician, a stilt walker, balloon artistry, live music, STEAM activities, roving entertainers, dance lessons, a police cruiser and a fire truck, a reading corner, photography, yard games, giveaways, and a costume contest with prizes!
Crestwood Halloween Parade
On Sunday, October 30 at 4pm the Crestwood community will host its annual Crestwood Halloween Parade starting from The Point (18th & Shepherd NW) for a loop around Quincy Street. Neighborhood pets will march first in their spooktacular glory, followed by children and adults in their spooky costumes. Community members will gather afterwards for snacks.
Lamond Community Halloween Parade
On Sunday, October 30 at 4:30pm-5:30pm Lamond Community Action Group will host its second annual Lamond Halloween Parade kicking off at Milligan Point (Rittenhouse St NE & Sligo Mill Rd NE). There will be a parade, trunk-or-treating, and senior care packages!
Chevy Chase Spooktacular on Connecticut Avenue
On Monday, October 31 from 3pm-6pm local businesses along Connecticut Avenue (from Chevy Chase Circle to Livington Street) will be handing out treats to trick-or-treaters as part of the annual Spooktacular event. Look out for the balloons at participating businesses!
Trick or Treating House-to-House Across Ward 4
This Monday, October 31 from approximately 4pm-8pm will be the general trick-or-treating period for Ward 4, though different neighborhoods have their own traditions. Neighbors are encouraged to have treats ready for our Ward 4 trick-or-treaters and to drive very slowly and cautiously. Be safe and have fun, everyone!
Fall Costume Party at Shepherd Park Community Center
On Monday, October 31 from 4pm-7pm Shepherd Park Community Center (7800 14th Street NW) will host a fall costume party! Come join this celebration of fall and costumes for youth in our community hosted by DPR.
Shepherd Park Citizens Association Annual Halloween Parade
On Monday, October 31 at 6pm the Shepherd Park Citizens Association will host its annual Halloween Parade inside the perimeter of Shepherd Field. There will first be a parade for children in first grade and under, followed by a parade for children who are in second grade and up. I will be there along with Councilmember Robert White to kick things off!
AKA Xi Omega Trunk or Treat Event
On Monday, October 31 from 5pm-7pm Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Xi Omega Chapter will host a Trunk or Treat event at Xi Omega Center (4411 14th Street NW). Come fill up your bag with treats!
Halloween Spooktacular Party at Riggs-LaSalle
On Monday, October 31 from 5pm-7pm Riggs-LaSalle Rec Center (501 Riggs Rd NE) and DPR will host a Halloween Spooktacular Party with music, refreshments, games, and treats.
Chevy Chase Trick-or-Treat Giveaway
On Monday, October 31 from 5:30pm-7pm Chevy Chase Community Center (5601 Connecticut Ave NW) will host a trick-or-treat giveaway. Come by if you dare! Thank you to DPR for hosting this event.
Emery Heights Trunk and Treat
On Monday, October 31 from 6pm-8pm Emery Heights Community Center (5701 Georgia Ave NW) and DPR will host its annual Trunk and Treat event for our community. Be sure to register if you plan to attend this festive event!
El Dia de los Muertos Procession in Petworth
On Wednesday, November 2 at 6pm Petworth Arts Collaborative will host a community procession starting from Petworth Library. They will walk on Upshur Street to view community ofrendas (altars) on display in local shops, followed by a candlelit walk through Petworth to be in community and remember our loved ones lost.
