Do You Recognize the Early Warning Signs of Halloween Fright Night? - Fort Wayne, Indiana's Big Yawn

"People ask me this every year." a chunky middle-aged salesperson yawned. I had asked her about what she thought would be the favorite costumes during Halloween 2007.

She really didn't have too many answers, so later I called and talked to Dick Stoner, owner of Stoner's Fun Stores in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Stoner's has been in business since 1949 and has always been the place to get Halloween outfits in Fort Wayne.

Dick said that the normal faves are those of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. Political figures, like George W, and Laura will be offered this year as well. Being a big fan of Nixon, I asked if he is still lifted off the shelf each year. "Oh, yeah, Tricky Dick is still a favorite among those looking for an impressive costume." It seems that political figures are always among the top ten.

It seems that Halloween is boring in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After all, they seem to have the same costumes every year. So much so, that even the clerks at the costume stores are yawning.

It is imperative then, that you become aware of the early warning signs of Halloween Fright Night. Or as I might really want to dub it, Halloween Yawn Night.

This year Fort Wayne area organizations such as, the Downtown Improvement District, The Embassy, Three Rivers Festival, Fort Wayne Library, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Science Central, ARCH, The Grand Wayne Center and WAJI are sponsoring a Downtown Halloween Fright Night.

It will be taking place on October 27, and will begin at 2pm in the afternoon. There are going to be a host of activities;

-- Ultrazone Coffin Race down Wayne Street by the Fort Wayne Newspaper Three Rivers Festival;

-- Screening of the silent classic "The Black Pirate" accompanied by the historic Grande Page Organ;

-- Magic show by world-famous Dick Stoner before Embassy screening;

-- Costume parade and hands-on Halloween activities by WAJI and the Grand Wayne Center;

-- Thriller Room - Where everyone can learn the "Thriller Dance";

-- Glowing "Ectoplasm" slime with the Mad Scientists from Science Central at the Grand Wayne Center;

-- Haunted Bus and Walking tours by ARCH starting at the Indiana Hotel;

-- Ghost stories, live music, and a screening of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" by the Fort Wane library.

So, four days before Halloween, the people of Fort Wayne will be able to enjoy the thrills of Halloween first hand.

It won't be like the good old days when kids could begin trick or treating 3 days ahead -stuff their bags and visit neighbors three or four times. No, kids will have to have adult chaperones. That's what was so great about Halloween when it was free and fun -adults were not allowed and kids were free to run the rainy, dark streets, unafraid- and full of mischief.

Frankly, reading about these activities put together by the greater Fort Wayne area for Halloween thrills puts me to sleep.

I don't know about you, but kids today don't squeal with joy like they used to- they don't get great belly laughs like before, and they sure don't have the same sense of adventure. When was the last time you saw a kid climbing a tree, or pushing down the next door neighbor kid, or even fighting for first place in line. You will probably say never. And you will also be thinking. "What is wrong with this writer?" " These are terrible, scary activities for children!!" Yes, they are. But, they are also ways in which a kid learns how to tear him/herself away from the pack.

Halloween Fright Night at Fort Wayne, Indiana. I am yawning already.