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Halloween 2012

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Winner of Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America Contest is ...

The Pirate Carrying a Mermaid Optical Illusion has been named Patch's Halloween Costume in America. Its creator—and wearer—will receive a $5,000 prize for having the most creative and innovative costume.

Ashley Playford dressed up as a pirate carrying a mermaid this Halloween. Well, actually, she dressed up as the mermaid. Her creativity has earned her the title of Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America and a $5,000 grand prize.   It was Playford's use of an optical illusion that won us over. Take a look at the photo she entered on Peekskill-Cortlandt Patch! Almost 4,000 Patch users entered the contest from Oct. 15 to Nov. 5, with costumes ranging from the Eiffel Tower and Honey Boo Boo to a flower pot and a clever interpretation of "binders full of women." National judges chose 1 finalist from each Patch state based on who had the most creative and innovative costume (we combined North Carolina & South Carolina for this contest, as …

Judibatt

5:32 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012

That is awesome and beautiful. She and her father are an amazing team.   more ›

Monday, November 5, 2012

LAST CHANCE: Enter Costume Photos, Win $5,000!

Because of Hurricane Sandy, the Halloween contest deadline was extended to Monday at 11:59 p.m. The grand prize winner of $5,000 will be announced by Nov. 12.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Sunday Events: Thanksgiving Parade, Dogtober Fest

Patch rounds up local events in Pasadena and nearby areas for Nov. 4.

There are a couple things happening in Pasadena—such as the Thanksgiving Parade—and nearby areas that you won't want to miss on Sunday! Add your events to our calendar by clicking here. Click each event link for more information. Dogtober Fest 2012 When/Where: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Fieldstone Animal Inn, 174 Obrecht Rd., Millersville Details: The event is open to the community and everything will be free of charge including refreshments, doggie play groups, nail clippings, children’s crafts, and plenty of other activities for both you and your canine friend. Costume contest at 12:30 p.m. Greek Food & Cultural Festival When/Where: 11 a.m. Sunday at Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 24 West Preston St., Baltimore Details: …

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Police Still Planning for Trick-or-Treaters After Sandy

Extra police officers will patrol in Anne Arundel County on Halloween.

As thousands in Anne Arundel County are waiting to get their power back, many anxious kids are pestering their parents about whether Halloween is still "on" for Wednesday night. Despite damage to homes and roadways from Sandy, police are planning for crowds of trick-or-treaters as usual, according to a department spokesperson. "We will have extra patrols in the community as we do every year," said Anne Arundel County police spokesperson Justin Mulcahy. He said the department will also have reserve officers with their police car lights activated, warning drivers to be cautious as pedestrians travel throughout the county's neighborhoods.  Although most neighborhoods will start festivities around 6 p.m. when it starts to get dark, check with …

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Keep Kids Safe While Trick-or-Treating in Pasadena for Halloween

Make sure your child trick-or-treats safely with these tips.

Trick-or-treating is the perfect way to make magical memories with your children on Halloween. But it's not all fun and games—you also want to keep your kids safe. Trick-or-treating usually starts at dusk on Halloween, which falls on a Wednesday this year, but you should check with your neighbors to make sure since it varies from community to community. Mom Kim Estes makes it her mission to help parents keep their kids out of harm's way all year round. Estes, a certified child safety educator and sexual abuse prevention specialist, founded Savvy Parents, Safe Kids to teach parents strategies for how to be prepared and protect their children as much as possible. Estes said parents should make sure that costumes are safe from hazards this …

Monday, October 22, 2012

PHOTOS: Show Off Your Pumpkins

Upload photos of your pumpkins—from this year or last year if you haven't carved yours yet.

Have you turned your pumpkin into a jack-o'-lantern yet? I am looking forward to carving a bumpy one but I am looking for the right "face" pattern to carve. When I was looking for ideas, I stumbled onto ExtremePumpkins.com and found some real inspiration. I'd love to see your ideas as well. Upload a photo of your pumpkins—from this year or last year—to share on Patch! See more:

Monday, October 15, 2012

UPDATE: Enter to Win Patch’s Best Halloween Costume in America Contest

We're searching for the best Halloween Costume in America. Enter yourself or your kids for a chance to win $5,000. Deadline extended to Nov. 5.

UPDATE (1:20 p.m. Thursday)—It doesn’t matter if you’re Lady Gaga or Lady Liberty for Halloween—if you have an awesome costume, showcase your creation in our Best Halloween Costume in America Contest. Because of Hurricane Sandy, the contest deadline has been extended to Monday at 11:59 p.m. The grand prize winner will be announced by Nov. 12. Last year, the headless boy from Wyckoff, NJ, won. This year, it could be you. Enter our contest for a chance to win the $5,000 grand prize! Adults and children are eligible to enter. Parents can post costume photos of themselves and their families from this Halloween or from years past. Here’s how to enter: The contest runs from Oct. 15 to Nov. 5. National judges will choose 21 finalists from each …

Friday, October 12, 2012

Top 5 Haunted Houses, Scary Attractions

In anticipation of Halloween, Patch rounds up a list of the scariest places to visit in or near Anne Arundel County.

If it takes more than a simple "boo" to make you jump, Patch has a list of attractions in or near Anne Arundel County that will satisfy your need to be scared silly. Wicked Woods Haunted Attraction Where: 120 Dorsey Rd., Glen Burnie (Behind Monsignor Slade Catholic School) When: 7:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 27 Details: The two haunted trails are recommended for ages 8 and older. There is a Wee Kids Maze—a Halloween-themed path full of twists and turns—for younger kids. Plus, there is a concession stand. Cost: $10 Haunt at Sunrise Farm Where: 100 Dairy Ln., Gambrills When: 7:30 p.m. (dusk) to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 27 Details: An old-fashioned hayride on a farm will lead you to haunted barns where …

Alexa Zean

5:08 am on Saturday, October 20, 2012

The Happy Haunted Hayride is a good thing for 2 to 7 year olds. It runs Sunday Oct. 21 and 28 at 2 to 4 pm at Rockburn Park in Howard County. You can find more info at the Ho Co website - http://www.howardcountymd.gov/fall2012guide.htm   more ›

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Haunted House Offers Live Actors, Scary Surprises

Save $5 if you go on Oct. 12 for Patch Night at the Prince George's Stadium in Bowie.

Do you like to be scared ... out of your mind? Prince George's Stadium in Bowie was transformed into a "Doomsday Asylum" for the month of October—and there's currently a special offer for Patch readers on Friday night if you buy a ticket before midnight Thursday. A warning to the weary: More than 20 live actors are waiting to jump out at you around any corner. And sensors detect when you walk into a room so there could be something else scary popping up when you least expect it. Watch out for the people in gas masks along with the others lurking around the "haunted hospital!" Tulip Gulch Production's Doomsday Asylum Haunted House will be happening weekends through October and Halloween week, but you must order by midnight Thursday to save …

address

6:05 am on Monday, November 5, 2012

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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Doomsday Asylum Haunted House: For the Community, By the Community

Mark Torsani and his business partner Gary Fischer have been putting on a haunted house in Bowie for more than 25 years.

In what they call "a hobby gone haywire" Bowie residents Mark Torsani and Gary Fischer have been scaring the socks off their neighbors and haunted house enthusiasts for more than 25 years.  It all started out on Torsani's front porch, and has now evolved to 11 nights of terror hosted in Prince George's Stadium. Tulip Gulch Production's Doomsday Asylum Haunted House is a huge production, involving dozens and dozens of volunteers, eight trailers full of props and many weeks of set up and preparation. Each year, a portion of proceeds go to support local charities.  Watch Torsani talk about how it all began, and how he and Fischer have kept the event local for all these years. The event will run weekends in October and Oct. 29-31. Tickets can …

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