Monday, October 26, 2009

Halloween is coming.....

Every year we have a big Halloween celebration here at the campground. Whoever is here is welcome to join in. It began with me cooking a huge pot of Brunswick Stew and building a bonfire. We pulled all the picnic tables around and everybody ate and had fun. We had a little karaoke and some good singers as well as those who really shouldn't have tried. Kids wore costumes and there was plenty of candy.


The next year I still did all the cooking. We added a pet costume contest and had prizes. We had prizes for pumpkin carving and prizes for costumes. Of course the menu was the same. The same campers signed up in advance to participate. My stew must be good because I never have any left. Every year I cook more. In addition to that I would make chili. The second year everyone voted that I shouldn't have to cook it all. They all said I should still make my stew and I did.


Last year I made the stew and everybody brought their favorite dishes. I wasn't really into it though. My big dogs had both died and I was a little down. But, the show must go on and it did. We had a good sized crowd and everyone had a good time..... or would have appeared to. The stew was all eaten, so they all left with a full tummy. We had door prizes. Free nights, free weekends. T-shirts and that sort of thing.


This year we decided to have a chili cook-off and Bingo. With fabulous prizes. I mean fabulous, people. I won't mention them here, because I would want to spoil the surprise, but they really are nice. I am not cooking this year. Well, a dessert, but that's no biggie. We are having hot dogs, too. But, I only have ONE reservation. None of my regulars have called. Maybe they are thinking that I know they will be here........ and I hope they come. Bingo.... there will be BINGO! Fireside bingo. With prizes. Not lame prizes, either. Face painting for the kiddies and a hayride through Spooky Forest. Did I mention the fabulous prizes?


These guys are sitting on the front porch, just waiting for the fun to begin.

Even the rodents are waiting..........


This ghoul is bone thin, she has been waiting for so long. Or is it a guy, I can't tell.




This old hag is threatening to eat her poor cat!




Old Frank N Stein is really hungry for some rat stew, but won't wait for me to cook it!





Mr. Pumpkin head is looking angry.... must be the lack of reservations.



Mr. Bones is dancing nervously and climbing the walls. We will just have to wait and see what this weekend brings.






15 comments:

Sunny said...

Sounds like a lot of fun. Too bad you are so far away! Hope you have a good amount of people.
Sunny :)

Naqvee said...

yeah, it's so bad that I'm miles and miles away from you.. and it sounds sooooooooooooooooo exciting. with rodent stew and mr. bones climbing up the wall.. i wish I could be there, wearing a vampire outfit and sucking blood juice.. eeeeeew hee haa haa

SkippyMom said...

What a wonderful tradition you began and the decorations are awesome. I too wish I could be there.

And I would email or call your regulars and say "Hey! Booking fast for Halloween, where are you?" heehee.

I love brunswick stew. Yum.

Rae said...

It sounds like so much fun. I love Halloween festivities and outdoor cookouts. Makes me wish I was there. Hope you have a great time.

Anonymous said...

Love the idea! The decorations, prizes, etc. I'd never dreamed of a campground going all out for the holiday. Wish I could be there.

Pat said...

Don' worry - you know how people put things off to the last minute! I like the idea of calling and asking your regulars. I'd say that I was running off to the store and needed to know how much food to buy. That seems reasonable.

And, hey, you gonna share that recipe for stew or what? :)

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Office computer died and I can't retrieve my customer info....or I would call all my regulars!

As for the stew... I don't really have a recipe. I just sort of make it. I start with a big boston butt, a big round roast, and two or three chickens depending on their size. Roast all of them and then shred the meat and dump it into an 18 quart roaster. Then I just start adding stuff til it feels right. BBQ sauce, ketchup, hot sauce. Saute a few onions, and garlic (a whole bulb) after you chop it. After that I split this mixture into two roasters and start adding vegetables. Potatoes, carrots,peas, corn, green beans..... Oh, it makes a big batch, by the way

Brian Miller said...

yum...a chili cook off! it all sounds like a whole lo of fun...wish it were closer. smiles.

Boozy Tooth said...

How fun!!! You do know Halloween is my favorite night of the year, right? And by all indications... you do it proud, Kathy!

Maybe next year, you can make your Brunswick Stew and have a Chili Cook-off for a prize. We did this once on Super Bowl Sunday and it was a big hit. The Crock Pots full of steamy red and white chili came streaming in and everyone got to get a taste of everything. Then we voted. My red chili won a prize, which made the night even more fun.

I'll be thinking of you Saturday night. Have fun!

Nancy said...

You have the perfect spot for a goulish good time! I hope you get a bunch of reservations for this weekend. I'll bet they are just thinking you already know they're coming. Let us know how the festivities turn out and especiall, the BINGO.

Mike said...

Lovin' the guys with the green faces!! haha! I thought I was looking in a mirror!

Hit 40 said...

I almost want to dash out to buy a trailer to come party with you this weekend. Very nice!!!

Take pictures of the young ones for us!!

The Good Cook said...

What fun! TBHITW and I love Halloween. Can't wait to share pics of the big night!

BOO!

Jo said...

That looks absolutely wonnnnnnnnderful...! Can I come over? I have some lovely mulled wine I can bring with me. :-)

Sandi McBride said...

Of course they'll be there! How could they not? Heck, if I knew where I was going, I'd be there!!!
hugs
Sandi
ps
hope you have a huge turnout!