Tag: halloween View All Tags

So Much Fun It's Scary

November 3, 2008 at 9:30 AM | 3 Comments

The Halloween spirit turns up in a lot of odd places (we see you, dentist's office!) but nowhere was odder than seeing these balloon columns popping up everywhere at Dallas' Love Field last week. But given how seriously Love's main carrier, Southwest Airlines, takes the holiday, it only seems appropriate that some of the good cheer would spill over from Southwest HQ, which is very close to the airport. How close? We'll show you that and way, way more after the jump.

more ›

Gary Kelly Plays "Sharp Dressed Man"

November 3, 2008 at 8:00 AM | 0 Comments

The biggest news coming out of Southwest Airlines' Halloween bash this year was what CEO Gary Kelly's costume would be. On Friday, we analyzed his choice of Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top--but today we have exclusive video of Kelly performing one of the Top's biggest hits, just after the jump.

more ›

Ghost Snakes and Zombie Dancing at the 2008 Village Halloween Parade

November 1, 2008 at 12:47 PM | 0 Comments

New York has a parade for just about every holiday save Arbor Day, but the one that seems to suit the city best is the annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. This year, a confluence of factors made the parade a bit weirder than usual, creating a timely diversion from regular life so that people such as your correspondent could get out of their heads for a while and appreciate the lengths many New Yorkers go through just to entertain. For starters (and to paraphrase a classic rap track), this year Halloween fell on a weekend, making a traditional party night even more of one. Add to that a highly-charged election with easily-caricatured candidates, an economy in free fall, and the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller, and you've got the makings of a major Halloween spectacle. Being slightly past whoo-hoo! age, we avoided the six-deep crowd on the sidewalk and enjoyed the parade from a friend's apartment overlooking Sixth Avenue, and while it made for lousy photographs, the elevated perspective highlighted the effort and energy that goes into New York's freakiest mass happening of the year.

more ›

A Close Reading Of Gary Kelly's Costume Pick

October 31, 2008 at 9:44 AM | 0 Comments

Southwest's Chief of Wacky Getups is leading the troops in Halloween celebrations today dressed as Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. Kelly definitely pulls it off, but when past outfits have included full face make-up and dressing in drag, a fake beard and a hat seem more than a little conservative.

Maybe the economy has him toning things down? It's still too early to tell if a recession will put the breaks on leisure travel, a big part of Southwest's business, but if it does, the carrier won't be able to fall back on fees as a way to earn some extra scratch.

Looking ahead to 2009, a potentially drawn out fare war with the new super-Delta at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International can't be an exciting prospect. And while the airline notes that its recent quarterly loss was more of an accounting issue than a business downturn, no one likes to lose $120 million.

Then again, it's just a costume.

Related Stories:
· A Sharp Dressed Man [Nuts about Southwest]

[Photo: Southwest Airlines]

Spookiest (Not That Small) Towns: All The Ghouls Know Cleveland Rocks

October 30, 2008 at 12:30 PM | 0 Comments

Even though Liz Lemon couldn't make it work with Floyd there, there's still plenty to do in The Cleve--especially when Halloween is involved. It definitely has its share of spooky stories and haunted legends--and they're all available to you thanks to some ghoulish entrepreneurs.

Start with a tour of some of the Cleveland's oldest buildings and likely hiding places for supernatural beings. A five-hour long Ohio City and Beyond Ghost Tour will even take you into Franklin Castle, a real haunted house.

If you're more of a marine thrill seeker, drop some cash on the Burning River Ghost Tour. You'll step aboard the USS Cod submarine docked on Lake Erie as you look for the serviceman who died trying to protect his ship. Even if you don't spot any ghouls, you'll finish off the tour at a local brewery--so you can wash away any disappointment.

Related Stories:
· Haunted Cleveland Ghost Tours [Official Site]
· Spookiest Small Towns Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: Elfboy]

Free Drinks For Costumed Fliers

October 29, 2008 at 4:30 PM | 0 Comments

Southwest already has its gates covered with Halloween decorations, but the carrier wants passengers to get in on the holiday fun, too.

Southwest will be handing out free adult beverages on October 31 to anyone silly dedicated enough to wear a costume on their flight. If you really want to stick to the Halloween theme, you'd be smart to order a Monster energy drink to go with.

Related Stories:
· Free Adult Beverages on Halloween [Twitter]
· Travel Marketing: SWA Loves the Twitter [Jaunted]

Who Wore The Egg Costume Best?

October 29, 2008 at 8:50 AM | 1 Comment

Eggstrordinary: How did Gwen Stefani and Katy Perry end up choosing the same, non-topical costume this Halloween? Stefani donned hers for a Halloween party in West Hollywood with husband Gavin Rossdale as a slice of bacon, while Perry paired hers with a halo (?) to go onstage at a show in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Even though they ended up with the same idea, we have to give the ladies credit for not picking a tired cliche. Here are five people you should NOT go as for Halloween:

Baldy Britney Spears: Sure, it was scary, but MTV is over it, and you should be too.

Michael Phelps: Hypothermia: Not funny.

The Joker: Displays an admirable commitment to face makeup, but if we have to hear people trying to do the raspy voice all night we're going to reverse course and go as the scary puppet from SAW.

Amy Winehouse: Neither scary, nor funny, just sad. (Sorry, Cindy Crawford.)

Sarah Palin: Much, much too scary.

Related Stories:
· Southwest in High Gear For Its Favorite Holiday [Jaunted]
· From Bengal To Nepal, Happy Diwali [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of Gwen Stefani: The Superficial. Photo of Katy Perry: Celebrity Dirty Laundry.]

Set Sail to Beaufort

October 28, 2008 at 12:30 PM | 0 Comments

Although we've already confirmed that zombies are taking top billing over pirates this Halloween, we can still occasionally provide a little love to the pirate fans. This year, those brave enough can get get a first-hand glimpse of the Hammock House--the supposed home of legendary swashbuckler, Blackbeard.

The Beaufort Ghost Walk, on North Carolina's east coast, takes ghost hunters through the historic downtown while sharing some haunted tales. Your pirate guides, dressed to the nines in the buccaneer regalia, let you in on the town's many secrets and legends. The town was founded in 1709, so you know there's a lot of good stuff to share.

Besides Blackbeard's crib, you'll do your best to navigate through the nearby 300-year-old cemetery--the final resting place for those without watery graves. Make sure you bring your camera, as many have captured the spirits on film. Reservations for the $15 tour are required--so plan ahead.

Related Stories:
· Beaufort NC Ghost Walk [Official Site]
· Pirate Trend Going Strong; Divisions Emerge Between Old Schoolers and Jack Sparrows [Jaunted]
· Spookiest Small Towns Map [Jaunted]

[Photo of Your Ghost Hosts: Beaufort Ghost Walk]

Southwest in High Gear for Its Favorite Holiday

October 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM | 0 Comments

It's no secret that Southwest Airlines is obsessed with Halloween, from flight attendants dressed as zombies to CEO Gary Kelly's infamous costumes.

So it should come as no surprise that these over-the-top decorations are up in Concourse B and Baltimore-Washington International.

We're actually heading to the Halloween festivities at Southwest HQ in Dallas on Friday, which should be outrageous. Guess it's easy to party when your airline isn't bleeding cash!

Related Stories:
· Halloween at BWI [TwitPic]
· Halloween coverage [Jaunted]

Fall Festivals Travel: Plenty of Pumpkins

October 23, 2008 at 12:30 PM | 0 Comments

Even though they're a little early, the residents of New Hampshire are ready to celebrate Halloween this weekend at the Keene Pumpkin Festival.

Things start at 10 am on Saturday with a craft fair and all kinds of food, but the real fun starts at noon with the pumpkin seed spitting contest. More entertainment kicks off in the afternoon with musicians spread out across three stages. If you're up for more eating, or were impressed by Joey Chestnut's recent feat, then get a good spot for the pumpkin pie eating contest.

The day's events culminate when the official count of lighted jack-o-lanterns takes place. That's right, the whole festival is centered on trying to break the world record for the most candle-filled pumpkins in one place: Last year the festival got close with 25,644, but nearby Boston still holds the record with more than 30,000!

Related Stories:
· The Keene Pumpkin Festival [Official Site]
· Fall Festivals coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: jmwests]

Spookiest Small Towns: Halloween Capital of the World?

October 23, 2008 at 10:30 AM | 0 Comments

If there's no other town around to refute their claim, then we just may have to agree that Anoka, Minnesota is in fact the Halloween Capital of the World. Pretty much forever ago (the 1920s!) the town decided that it would welcome Halloween celebrations instead of waking up the next morning to a town full of toilet papered trees and egged cars. It was a success, and the treats, rather than tricks, continue to flow.

more ›

Halloween Travel: Philly Gets Scary

October 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM | 1 Comment

The City of Brotherly Love becomes the City of Scary when Halloween rolls around. Calling itself "America's Most Hauntingly Historic City," Philly takes scaring visitors to a whole new level with some frightful offerings. Find our faves after the jump.

more ›