Burl Willes ~ February 8, 2008
"Should anyone have any doubts about the importance of decorating for Halloween, they need look no further than Russell Street in the Elmwood district of Berkeley, California. This eagerly-awaited and festive event on Russell Street has created a true sense of neighborhood and friendliness. In fact, visitors to the street are so impressed with the sense of community and creative endeavor of its residents, that they actually await an opportunity to buy a house there and become part of the scene themselves!
How It All Started
In 1988, a Russell Street resident decorated his house and entry garden with creative non-violent Halloween ghosts and goblins, in trees, shrubbery, and floating on the pond. Eiry lighting led the way to the front door. When the door opened, "trick or treaters" and their parents could see and hear a live skeleton in tophat and tails playing Halloween medlies on a babygrand piano in the living room. The creative Halloween display was enjoyed by many and the next year a few neighbors got together and decided to have a "Halloween decoration contest." Local merchants contributed the prizes: a free pizza; ice cream cones for two; free admission for two to the Elmwood movie theater. Announcements were put in all mailboxes along the two block-long street (approximately 60 houses). About 20 houses participated in 1989 babygrand piano, and there were happy winners in the categories of "most creative, most amusing, scariest and best effort". continued >>