Carnival of the Howling Wolves: Food, Fun, Fortune Tellers

Forget about coyotes on the Hill, Mount Washington residents can check out a different kind of critter at the Carnival of the Howling Wolves. The Halloween festival will be held on the playground at this Saturday from 1-5 p.m.

I remember--more than a decade ago--when the festival was a low-key affair named after pumpkins, which were definitely howl-free.  So I was especially excited to hear about this year’s event.

Sharen Steele Herran--Mount Washington PTA's V.P. Ways & Means--was equally excited to tell me.

Fest a Blast from the Past

The V.P. said that she found a three-ring binder that outlined the entire 2004 pumpkin festival during a recent "sprucing up" of the parent center.

"Can you believe it? 2004!" Steele Herran said. "I was so ecstatic, I can’t begin to tell you!”

“We’re doing a throwback to the good ol’ days of carnivals!” Steele continued. “Music, popcorn, game booths, photo-ops, food booths and even the treasured haunted house is making a comeback.”

Madame Woo to Make an Appearance

My ears perked up at the mention of the Haunted House, but before I could ask, Steele Herran volunteered that fortune teller Madame Woo would be making an appearance.  Make that multiple Madames Woo, who, according to precedent established at least 15 years ago, are still played by dads.

My husband claims to have no memory of the fortune teller tradition; he usually performed at the festivals along with the other pro musician dads who were always free on Friday afternoons, back when the Festival used to be held.  I clearly remember Madame Woo, though.  Back in the day, kids reached in a fishbowl for a silly saying.  This year, according to Steele Herran, the Madames Woo will pass out fortune cookies with Halloween sayings in them.

This is going to be one fantastic festival.

Dad Bands, Drill Teams and a Monster Cello

The festival’s musical dad tradition will return with the Dad Band. The Mount Washington Elementary Drill Team will also perform along with Joe Kevany and Brian Howard’s kid-friendly comedy Broon Show--think juggled bowling balls--and Dave Travis’s Monster Cello.  Speaking of monsters, I hear that “brain parts” can be found at one of the booths, which are all hosted by individual classrooms.

Attendance to the festival is free, but the booths will have tickets ranging from 25 cents to $5.  According to Steele Herran, money raised at the “FUNdraiser” will go into the “general PTA fundraising fund,” which in the past has been used for everything from teachers’ aides to field trip busses.  “It’s sooooo much work but … sooooo worth it,” continued Steele Herran, who lauded Pumpkin Festival Chairperson Nancy DeLeon Meeker and Haunted House Coordinator Behn Samareh as two of many, dedicated Carnival volunteers.

“Good Ol’ Fashioned Carnival Food!”

Carnivalgoers are advised to arrive hungry. “We plan to have good 'ol fashioned carnival food!” said Steele Herran. “Hamburger or hot dog plates will be available, carnival popcorn, cotton candy, nachos and lemonade!  Just remember back--and that's what we'll have.”

Additionally, added Steele Herran, “we have Mrs. Ghoul's GROSSeries where you'll be able to purchase an array of haunted house cupcakes, whole pumpkin pies, and no telling what else might be bubbling over or howling to get out!”

Costumes Encouraged

There may not be any actual Howling Wolves at the carnival, but costumes are encouraged so expect to encounter plenty of pint-sized monsters and mermaids.

First grader Isabella, who will be attending as a “vampire queen”, says last year’s Halloween festival was her “first Carnival ever” and is looking forward to the “mostly scary, real haunted house.” Isabella is also excited about the carnival because, “A lot of first graders and their parents really want to have fun.”

Dylante, also a first grader, will be a “scary skeleton” at the carnival, which he thinks is going to be “pretty great.” Dylante is excited about the “bouncy obstacle course” where he “went with my baby sister and raced her.  She’s four and she lost.  I’m going to race her again.”

Asked what else he’s looking forward to, Dylante shares that his mom “is putting up this toy that’s really cool.  You press a button and it says, ‘Heelllp meee.'”

Which should come in very handy if howling wolves show up.