Voices of October: Portraits of Modern Halloween

In late august or so in Flint, Michigan, many different Halloween tinged businesses, ideas and displays start popping up around town. There are the different Halloween stores that invade previously empty buildings for a few months between late summer and the indoctrination of fall. There are also a number of inspired haunts that seem to rise from nowhere to add an exciting flavor to the season, and many yard displays from Halloweenies all around the city. Adults and children alike embrace the colorful spooky season, with costumes ranging from the most simple to the most sublime; homemade and “store bought”. The appeal of pretending to be someone else is likely present, as well as the basest notion of dressing up that we are instilled with during childhood. In other more Halloween-ish words, in Flint, “The scene is rocking.”