As that special time of year once again rolls around, many out there are beginning to think of getting dressed up, perhaps a little inebriated and going door to door asking for candy from people they don't know. No, it's not a bachelor's party gone wrong. Halloween is just around the corner.
Most of the students who have been around Hopkins for a year or two already know about the big celebration at Fells Point, near Baltimore's Inner Harbor. For those readers out there who are less familiar, Fells Point holds an annual "Bmore-Mardi Gras" on Halloween, complete with people parading around in costumes.
Most of the shops, bars and eateries in Fells Point are also thrown open for the celebration on this one-of-a-kind night. The celebration at Fells Point is certainly a highlight of a Baltimore-style Halloween, but for those who prefer a different path there is still some hope.
There are plenty of alternatives to attending Fells Point on Halloween night. There are so many great things going on in the area, there is no need to limit yourself on one of most festive nights of the year.
Trick or Treat in Style
Go trick or treating in Roland Park. Who says it's only for little kids? Hopefully the size of the houses in the neighborhood will coincide in some way with the amount of candy doled out. Your costume can't be "college student," though.
Be Cultured
Go see the London After Dark film series at the Baltimore Museum of Art. It's free for students, and it's right on campus. The showing will be at 8 p.m. on Friday the 28th.
Host a Party
Host your own Halloween party! Just don't let Housing catch you doing it, or (much more reasonably) take it somewhere off-campus. Check out http://www.webtender.com/handbook/games for more information. Or, maybe you'd rather take it easy and not indulge tonight. Throw a theme party. Your costume theme could range from Disney characters to the classic "Pimps and Hoes," or anything in between. Get creative.
Hear a Band
Check out the Funk Box on Federal Hill, also known as the Eight by Ten, on the 31st. This year the Funk Box will be hosting The Bridge, an up and coming band from Baltimore, on Halloween. If you're into Jazz, Rock, Bluegrass, Funk, or Electronica, and especially a fusion of these diverse styles, this concert will be right up your alley. Admission for the night is $12, and the address is 10 East Cross St.
Scare Yourself Silly
If you want to check out a traditional "haunted forest" attraction, look into Markoff's Haunted Forest, located at 19120 Martinsburg Rd., in Dickerson. It was recently rated number one in the nation. And if the whole thing turns out to be boring, you can always join in on the fun of scaring the revelers. Just bring a mask.
Get Down
If you're in the mood to go clubbing somewhere outside of Baltimore, try the DTPDC in Washington which is hosting Halloween parties throughout the weekend, and caters specifically to college students and young professionals. Go to http://absoluteaddiction.com for more information.
Roller coaster of Fun
Fright Fest at Six Flags is something unique to check out Halloween weekend. While the park will not be open Halloween night, it will remain open until 10 p.m. on both the Friday and Saturday before the 31st. The park will have a lot of unique events going on, such as karaoke and a House of Horrors, and it is a great chance to go to an amusement park before the weather becomes unbearable.
Flee Baltimore
Go to Washington, D.C. The train ticket is only $7 one-way on Friday, and the most powerful city in the nation will have monuments to gaze at and restaurants to lounge in. Make a stop by Washington's famous 9:30 Club, which will be featuring different music artists every night Halloween weekend. Get tickets fast.
In case your interest is piqued by the celebration at Fells Point, keep in mind that you can check out a lot of these events all in one night.
The bottom line is that there are loads of things to do in the Baltimore/D.C. area and there is no reason to stay in your room watching scary movies, or worse, studying. So create a costume, get some friends together, and get out there and enjoy yourself.
