DRC's Family Fall Festival a Spooktacular Success!

It was another spook-tacular event in the books for the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation as we hosted our 5th Annual Family Fall Festival in Veterans Park this past Saturday. Even though the park housed some zombies on Saturday, it was fully alive with about 1,000 participants.

Kids and families enjoyed stuffing their own scarecrows and decorating big orange pumpkins from one of the Dundalk Farmers’ Markets own farmers, Jay Marshall.  In true Dundalk fashion, when Jay’s truck got a flat tire, other farmers pitched in to help deliver the goods! The Scary Story Lady, the bookmobile and the caricaturist were also big hits.

The stage was packed at 11 a.m. as vampire emcee Mike Brilhart from 100.7 The Bay kicked off the costume contest with our Howl-oween doggie contest.  Top dog awards went to Tiger the mummy and a 4-week-old Ravens cheerleader.   

After the pooch parade, things really started to heat up with over 150 kid costume contest entries! These costumes were not from your average discount store costume aisle! Kids as young as 4 months dressed up in disguises ranging from super heroes to Papa John’s delivery workers to brides of Justin Bieber (cutout Justin Bieber included!). Judges Angel Ball (Dunmanway Apartments/Concerts in the Park), Michele McBee (Blue Ocean Realty), Will Feuer (DRC Volunteer of the Year and board member), and Lynn Hershner (Dundalk Florist) had a difficult job choosing the top winners in each category! In the end the master lock took home the prize for overall best homemade and the Thanksgiving table took the best overall!   Here’s a small selection of shots—see them all at facebook.com/dundalkusa.

Throughout the day, live music was provided by the Baltimore Guitarist Group. When people weren’t competing for best costume they were able to enjoy a variety of vendors and organizations with tables at the event! The DRC was able to partner with CCBC Dundalk to create our new Dundalk R.A.P (Recycling Awareness Program). Everyone who visited the recycling booth were able to play games around the importance of recycling. Guests could also stop by the Dundalk High School, Dundalk Middle School, and Dundalk High School Boosters areas to add to their Tree of Thanks.

Trick-or-Treating through the Main Street began at 1 p.m. and brought hundreds of people to local businesses.  There were plenty of other giveaways and crafts for all ages to enjoy! The day ended by raffling off an i-Pod shuffle. The winner, dressed as a fairy, was excited to listen to her favorite song “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on her prize! Overall the event was a great success!

Of course, this event could not take place without our wonderful volunteers and sponsors! Thanks to the devilishly good volunteers from CCBC, Dundalk High School, Future Care North Point, Law Office of Melinda Lee Dunmire, Dunmanway Apartments and many more! Our photographers, Shirley Gregory, Kayleigh Crandell and Scott Holupka captured some great images—see them all at facebook.com/dundalkusa.   Additionally thanks to our key sponsors Mars, Anchor Bay East Marina, Boulevard Diner, The Dundalk Eagle and Hirsch Electric.

A big shoutout to DRC’s Community Projects Coordinator Leah Bunck, aka, Pat Benatar, who oversaw event planning and worked with a team of staff, interns, board members, and other volunteers to make it happen!  We look forward to seeing everyone on December 1 for the Holiday Hoopla and Cookie Tour!