An Aussie 'Alloween

At last, it's actually Halloween! 31st October 2012 and I'm in a hot country, wearing shorts, not feeling it at all :-(

Don't get me wrong, it's been great going to the Fright Night, Zombie walk and Manly parade but it just doesn't feel like Halloween unless it's cold, windy, usually raining and dark by 4pm.

However, for an Aussie 'Alloween there was a showing of the cult classic Gremlins at Southbank open air cinema. This I liked! We rented HUGE beanbag lounger type things that were so comfy, sat back munching our popcorn and crisps and enjoyed the movie.

Strictly speaking I think of it as a Christmas film more than Halloween what with the snow and Christmas theme pretty much running throughout the whole film.

I'm so Manly

OK so I may have miscounted when I said it was 3 things in my Halloween countdown of activities...turns out it's 5!

Manly Halloween Street Parade! It's just a little village really but they sure do like Halloween!
If you've ever seen an episode of The Gilmore Girls you'll understand when I say it was like my very own Stars Hollow complete with Taylor Doose!!

There were stalls selling costumes and Halloween knick knacks, rides and shows for the kids and it seemed like the whole town was either in the parade or manning a lemonade/taco stall! Even the local car garage joined in! It was GREAT!

If I were to ever move to Australia permanently this is the town I would move to!

The parade itself ran down what looked to be the High street and had everything from hearses and hogs to an old fashioned Victorian type car.

Everyone was dressed up and got into the 'spirit' of the evening! Vampires, zombies, ghosts, horror film characters, witches, ghouls and goblins were all there and just in case things got out of hand...the Ghostbusters showed up!!

The Great Brisbane Zombie Walk

This brings us to number 3 on the Halloween countdown of 2012. The Brisbane Zombie Walk.
According to sources it has previously taken place in the CBD but this year was moved further out to basically a large park.
In saying this it was a great afternoon with LOADS of people really putting in the effort! Some of the costumes were incredible and I wish I had been able to prepare better. As it stood, I hijacked one of the tops I brought with me and some awful looking (but comfy) shorts I got on the cheap.

Also scribbled on a freebie canvas bag I managed to relieve some random of on a 'fashion night out' in Sydney (highlight of my night was getting that bag!). Don't forget my homemade 'zombie' necklace!!

Not too elaborate but I didn't feel completely left out, especially after the splatter tent!! (It was exactly what it sounds like)

Fright Night

So the first Halloween mourning was in August... where shall we have number two? Fright Night at Movie World on the Gold Coast of course!!

I didn't have time to sort out a costume for this one but it was a great night all the same! It opened with what seemed to be the ENTIRE cast dressed in an array of zombie and horror film characters dancing to the famous 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson in the main street.
There was then a choice of rides open, along with performances in the streets and 'mazes' set up in the old film lots. Although we only had time to go on the one ride ( Justice League), we did manage all the mazes (some good, some mediocre). I was even applauded by one woman for going at the front of the line to lead the gang through! She said she couldn't have done it with people jumping out and scaring her.

Perhaps I have become harder to shock over the years? Maybe I just have an incredibly slow reaction time?