Halloween is alive and well and being celebrated all over this country. It might be a kids’ party with bobbing for apples and pin-the-tail-on-the-black-cat, a horror flick at the teen center, a visit to a haunted house for the entire family or an all-in-disguise dance for couples.
Folks in New York’s tony Hamptons area on Long Island love Halloween. Bridgehampton holds a pumpkin-carving contest with such enticing categories as Hair Scare and Mother Groosesome. And in Southampton there’s a Rag-a-Muffin Parade for dressed-up people and the Canine Couture Boutique’s Pet Parade for dressed-up pooches. Try getting a Chihuahua into a onesie!
In New Orleans, where pre-lent Carnival means elaborate costumes and masks decked with feathers and gemstones, Halloween brings another time to dress up and step out to a dance or a game night.
In Anoka, Minn., Halloween capital of the world, festive events fill October. Begun in 1920 to divert youngsters from pranks, the celebration kept growing. By the 1930s, the Halloween parade drew 20,000 spectators. Besides the expected pumpkin-carving contest, haunted house and parades, this city of 18,000 puts on a historical ghost tour, an orange-tie ball, a 5K run, and wine tasting.
Fun food is always part of a great Halloween party. Gather the gang to make Creepy Crackers. You’ll need crackers, pepperoni, sliced cheeses (cheddar, Muenster and/or provolone), and garnishes such as olives, capers, pimento and green pepper.
Follow designs at Hormel.com, or create your own. One of the easiest is a pepperoni slice topped with a cheese cut-up of a ghost, cat or pumpkin. Secure toppings with butter, cream cheese or mayonnaise. A sharp knife or cookie cutters and a keen imagination recommended.
Finally, make thick, rich Dire Pepperoni Dip. Decorate the dip with a silly face of pepperoni and veggies.
Dire Pepperoni Dip
Makes 6 to 8 servings
• 8-ounce package cream cheese
• 10-ounce can cream of chicken soup
• 3/4 cup water or milk
• 8-ounce package pepperoni, cut in quarter slices
Soften cream cheese in microwave oven 8 minutes on 20-percent power. Stir in soup and water. Cook 2.5 minutes at 50-percent power. Stir pepperoni into cheese mixture. Cook 2.5 minutes at 70-percent power. Serve with crackers or vegetable dippers. Finish with a silly face.
Courtesy of Family Features
