Halloween in Ward 4!
Dear Neighbors,
Halloween is always an exciting time in our community, with so many incredible events happening across Ward 4 and DC. Nearly every neighborhood will have celebrations taking place, and I want to thank all the neighbors who have worked to make the upcoming week a special one!
Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing my regular Ward 4 Dispatch, with updates on the past week on the Council and in the community. But today, I want to take time to share some Halloween safety tips and some of the amazing events we have to look forward to! And as we gear up to celebrate, a friendly reminder to be extra cautious while driving as trick or treaters are out and about, and to be mindful of neighbors while taking part in the festivities. I can’t wait to see our community out and enjoying Halloween the Ward 4 way!
9th Annual Spookyville: Haunted Alley
Spookyville is back for its 9th year on Friday, October 24th at 6pm in the alley behind 715-719 Van Buren St NW. The all-volunteer, all-ages Halloween celebration is free and open to all, transforming the alley behind Van Buren St into a one-night-only Haunted Alley extravaganza.
BOOCHANAN Halloween Block Party
On Saturday, October 25th from 5 to 9pm, the BOOCHANAN Halloween Block Party returns on the 1500 block of Buchanan St NW. The event will include costumed live bands, a bounce house, spooky piñata, box maze, food, drinks, and fun!
Sherman Circle Spooktacular
On Sunday, October 26th from 3 to 7pm, the annual Sherman Circle Spooktacular will return with free, family friendly Halloween festivities for the entire Petworth community. Hosted by Petworth Peanuts, the event will include live entertainment, balloon artists and face painters, food trucks, costumes, and lots of Halloween spirit.
Enter SPCA’s Halloween Decorating Contest
The Shepherd Park Citizens Association is still on the prowl for neighbors to enter its annual Halloween decorating contest, entering houses, pumpkins, or both. Nominate your house by emailing pattison_mark@outlook.com, and an expert panel of neighborhood judges will set out on Monday, October 27th to choose the winner.
LCAG Halloween Parade
On Sunday, October 26th from 4:30 to 6:30pm, the Lamond Community Action Group will host a Halloween Parade starting at Milligan Point (Sligo Mill Rd & Rittenhouse) and ending at 60 Sheridan St NE. The parade will be followed by a potluck in the driveway between 56-60 Sheridan St NE. If you plan to participate or bring something for the potluck, or donate gift cards for the costume contest, email lcagdc@gmail.com with what you plan to bring.
Digital Halloween Escape Room
On Tuesday, October 28th from 4 to 5pm, Petworth Library is hosting a Digital Halloween Escape Room for teens 13-19. In this haunted online escape room, you have to solve puzzles to earn your freedom from the clutches of…well, you’ll see. Learn more on DCPL’s website!
CCA Halloween Parade
On Sunday, October 26th, the Crestwood Citizens Association will host their annual Halloween Parade! Gather at 18th and Shepherd St NW at 2pm for games, photo opportunities, a scavenger hunt, and more. Cakes and cider will be provided thanks to the Mahshie Fazio Partnership, along with a fun raffle. The parade will begin at 2:20pm, and all are welcome to come in costume to parade or watch and enjoy!
SPCA Doggie Halloween Costume Contest
On Sunday, October 26th from 1 to 3pm, the Shepherd Park Citizens Association invites neighbors to bring their furry friends for free treats and a chance to win a prize. The Doggie Halloween Costume Contest will take place at The Parks at Walter Reed (1010 Butternut St NW), and all are invited to attend.
DPR Halloween Celebrations
Throughout the next week, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will be hosting several Halloween events at recreation centers across Ward 4:
- On Friday, October 31st from 6 to 8pm, Lafayette-Pointer Rec Center (5900 33rd St NW) will host a Pumpkin Palooza! Bring along your own pumpkin to decorate and enjoy a fantastic time with stickers, paint, and plenty of spooky fun for all. RSVP here.
- On Wednesday, October 29th from 3 to 5pm, Petworth Rec Center (801 Taylor St NW) will host a Halloween event, featuring arts and crafts and a candy giveaway. RSVP here.
- On Friday, October 31st from 6 to 8pm, Raymond Rec Center (3725 10th St NW) will host a Spooktacular Silent Disco with candy, lively music, and more. RSVP here.
- On Friday, October 31st from 6 to 9pm, Riggs-LaSalle Rec Center (501 Riggs Rd NE) will host a night of frights and delights featuring a haunted house and family-friendly movie. RSVP here.
Kids, Cops, and Karaoke at Brightwood Family Success Center
On Thursday, October 30th from 4 to 6pm, Brightwood Family Success Center is joining with 4th District MPD to host a family-friendly event with music, candy, and refreshments. Make sure to wear a costume and join for a night of singing and fun. Space is limited, so be sure to register to attend.
MPD 4th District Haunted Campground
On Thursday, October 30th from 6 to 8pm, join MPD 4th District at 6001 Georgia Ave NW for their spooky Halloween event: Haunted Campground, featuring candy, costumes, and community fun for all ages.
Trick or Treat on Chevy Chase Main Street
On Friday, October 31st from 3 to 6pm, the annual tradition returns to Chevy Chase Main Street this Halloween! Participating businesses will be handing out candy to trick or treaters, and include more than a dozen local businesses spanning from 5500 Connecticut Ave to Chevy Chase Circle and connecting side streets such as Livingston St and McKinley St NW.
AKA Xi Omega Trunk or Treat
On Friday, October 31st, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Xi Omega Chapter and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Mu Lambda Chapter unite for an evening of family fun from 5 to 8pm at Xi Omega Center (4411 14th St NW). This season, bring your little angels and superheroes for decorated trunk displays, candy and treats galore, games and activities, food and refreshments, and non-scary costume fun. All families and children welcome – no registration required.
Community Resources
Halloween Safety Tips
As families get ready to trick or treat and take part in the Halloween festivities, remember to look out for one another and stay safe by following these tips:
- Plan your route. Make sure to plan your trick or treating route ahead of time and stick to familiar, well-lit neighborhoods without heavy traffic. Not to mention, planning your route ahead of time helps maximize candy collection!
- Supervise young children. Kids under 12 should always be accompanied by adults, and for older kids, ensure they go in groups and share their routes with family.
- Make costumes safe. The best costumes are safe costumes! Make sure Halloween costumes fit well to prevent tripping and avoid masks that obstruct vision. If it’s after dark, use reflective tape or glow sticks to improve visibility.
- Create a safe environment. If you’re a homeowner handing out treats to trick or treaters, remember to keep walkways clear of obstacles and decorations that could cause tripping. Be mindful of pets and make sure your porch light is on to signal you are participating in Halloween.
- Keep each other safe. Remember to look out for one another by driving safely and keeping noise down after 10pm. For any non-emergency issues where support is needed from DC government, call 311 or submit a request.
Chances are you won’t have to go far from home to have a spooky time this Halloween! Thanks to everyone who is helping make these events possible and making this Halloween a memorable one for our whole community. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s regular Ward 4 Dispatch with more updates, resources, and community events for the week ahead!
Have a great Halloween and see you out there!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
