By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
October 12, 2011

Houses along Gladstone Boulevard in Historic Northeast don’t shy away from Halloween.

One year, a resident built a 20-foot long pirate ship, said Scare-It Halloween Chair Amanda Stinger.

A number of houses build sets, complete with a cast of characters. Past themes have included Toy Story, the Wizard of Oz and the Gladstone Disco.

“The people who get into it just go all out,” Stinger said. “They don’t get anything out of it. It’s just for the kids.”

Now in its 18th year, Scare-It Halloween will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31.

More than 20 houses in the 3200 to 3900 block of Gladstone Boulevard are expected to participate this year. All are invited to attend this free event.

Asked how the Halloween tradition began, Stinger said Old Northeast founded the event and the Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association took the reins last year.

“Basically, these urban kids don’t have a place to trick-or-treat,” she said. “The idea started with let’s provide a safe, fun place for these kids to come trick-or-treat. It’s just sort of organically grown.”

In addition to trick-or-treating, this year’s activities will include a variety of inflatables, Kansas City Chalk and Walk artists creating Halloween art, and at Askew and Gladstone Boulevard, Parisole Arts will feature fire spinning and jugglers throughout the evening. For children without costumes, Parisole Arts will provide costume supplies.

The Kansas City Museum will be the focal point and provide candy, costumed characters and spooky music. Youngsters dressed as princesses can enter the museum’s photo contest. Finalists’ photos will be posted on www.friendsofkansascitymusuem.com and winners will receive prizes.

The Ghostbusters’ Ecto 1 and a Ghostbuster will also make an appearance.

Last year, more than 7,500 children attended last year’s event, Stinger said.

“I just want to see the kids and the families who come have a good time,” she said.