There is an annual Halloween street party that takes place several blocks uphill from my house. Sometimes we feel like we're sloppy seconds as gangs of trick-or-treaters bypass our house for the more glamorous above College Ave. venue. But we had plenty of kids in costume and ran out of candy at an appropriate time.
As we were closing the house down and preparing for bed, we heard a commotion outside. Quite a commotion it was! Mr. Celia went out to investigate. The street party was closing down, too. About 150 teenagers-with-nowhere-to-go congregated in our intersection and cross street, stopping traffic, bouncing on cars, and looking for mischief. Mr. Celia wisely called the cops as the crowd swelled to 250 then 350. I grabbed the camera.
Luckily, it was a good-natured crowd and young enough (or maybe it was early enough) to not be a bunch of rowdy drunks. The cops were polite but persistent, "The party's over - keep moving." and "You wouldn't do that to your mom's car."
But it took a while to get the crowd moving. After all, it was Saturday night - and early (9 p.m.)! These kids wanted something to do.
No arrests, no damage, no big incidents. Just a big crowd of aimless celebrants looking for a Halloween to Remember. I have to admit, though, it did make me nervous to see them congregated across the street right next to my little red car.
Party Hearty, kids. Just not in my street...
