Halloweentown: Making A Childhood Dream Come True
From Cheesy Movies to Real-Life Magic
Halloween has always held a special place in my heart.
It's the one day of the year when we're all granted permission to step into someone else's shoes, to become anyone or anything we desire.
This power is part of what inspired my recent poetry collection, "The Haunted Wardrobe," a compilation of campfire stories and personal reflections.
A Creature of the Night
One poem from the collection, "A Creature of the Night," captures the essence of Halloween's mystery. It tells of a shadowy figure prowling through the holiday's festivities, reminiscent of the cheesy yet charming Halloween movies that defined my childhood.
Halloweentown: More Than Just a Movie
Speaking of childhood favorites, "Halloweentown" stands out as a pinnacle of Halloween entertainment. The story of Marnie, a young girl who discovers her witch heritage and a magical realm where supernatural beings coexist, captured my imagination like no other.
The Plot That Sparked Dreams
In the movie, Marnie and her siblings are drawn into a world of magic and mystery:
They learn of their witch lineage from their grandmother, Aggie
Discover Halloweentown, a place where the supernatural is normal
Face a dark force threatening the magical realm
Marnie embraces her heritage to save Halloweentown
From Screen to Reality
Watching Marnie step into Halloweentown for the first time ignited a dream within me. I longed for a place where Halloween magic was real, much like how Harry Potter fans yearn for Hogwarts.
A Dream Realized
Years later, I discovered that the dream of visiting Halloweentown wasn't as far-fetched as I'd thought. The town of St. Helens, Oregon, where much of the movie was filmed, hosts an annual Halloween festival that brings the magic of Halloweentown to life.
My Halloweentown Adventure
A few years ago, I finally took the plunge:
Traveled to Portland, Oregon
Drove to St. Helens for their Halloweentown
Experienced the movie sets come to life
Fulfilled a long-held childhood dream
Halloween isn't just a day; it's a feeling, a transformation, and sometimes, a dream come true.
My journey from watching "Halloweentown" as a child to visiting the real-life set as an adult reminds me of the enduring magic of this holiday. It's a testament to the power of imagination and the joy of keeping our childhood wonder alive.
Have you ever visited a place that brought your favorite childhood movies to life? Share your experiences in the comments below!