Ghouls Come Out for Hampden HalloweenFest

A more than 50-year-old tradition is returning to Hampden, and it promises to be a ghoulish affair.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 31, Hampden HalloweenFest will take place along W. 36th Street, Falls Road and Chestnut Avenue. The celebration, which generally attracts 400 to 600 attendees from the Baltimore metro area, kicks off with trick-or-treating at local businesses.

"We like to get the kids wired up before the costume contest," said Susannah Siger with a laugh. She is one of the event's organizer and owner of Ma Petite Shoe.

Siger described the costume contest, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Hampden-Midtown and the Circle K Club of Johns Hopkins University, as the marquee event of the evening.

"People aren't coming here with drug store costumes," she said. "It's very much about creativity, and people get very competitive about it. You really need to bring your A-game."

Sigler recalled one memorable participant who fashioned a paper mache yellow submarine costume.

"It's authentic," she said. "People get quite conceptual."

There are categories for all ages, including prettiest, scariest and most original costume. Winners receive trophies. The contest is planned to begin at 6 p.m. in the 800 block of 36th street.

Ma Petite Shoe representatives plan to take photos throughout the contest, which will later be posted on the store's Facebook page.