Goblins, ghosts, and witches returned to Glen Providence Park for its Halloween 80th birthday party!\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Amidst the deepening shadows on the last evening in October, more than 160 revelers came out to celebrate the 80th birthday of<\/b> Glen Providence Park.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Witches, scarecrows and the young at heart, making their way toward the glimmering stage filled with jack o\u2019lanterns,<\/strong> descended from the main entrance to Glen Providence Park along a path lighted with glowing luminarias. Trees in full fall splendor reflected the glow of sun setting into the valley below. Lions and tigers and bears clambered up a trail out of the glen to join the spectacle of other brightly colored merrymakers anticipating the first Halloween event in the park in more than twenty-five years.<\/p>\n The lilting voice of Hedgerow\u2019s Grey Kelsey, accompanied by her guitar, filled the air with a medley of spooky songs<\/strong> warming up the crowd for an evening of both tricks and treats by the resourceful and talented actors of Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley, America\u2019s first repertory theatre.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The entertainment took a dramatic turn with the narrative <\/strong>\u201cOnce upon a midnight dreary,<\/strong> while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping…”\u00a0<\/em>During his spellbinding performance, Brock Vickers\u2019 footsteps hammered out across the stage,<\/strong> the haunting syncopated rhythm of Edgar Allen Poe\u2019s \u201cThe Raven\u201d<\/a><\/strong>. Vickers captivated the audience – that spanned all ages, from the first line to the last \u2018nevermore.\u2019 Still one of the most memorable poems of all times, it was published by Poe in 1845.<\/p>\n Following the lively \u201cWitches\u2019 Play\u201d with Susan Wefel<\/strong>, Glen Providence Park Board President Stephanie Gaboriault invited the children on stage to blow out a candle on one of the cupcakes commemorating the park\u2019s birthday. Cupcakes were then distributed among the audience and actors who still had room for a little more sugar!<\/p>\n Work started on Glen Providence Park on October 31, 1935<\/a> \u2013 a fitting birthday considering the glen\u2019s haunted past,<\/strong> as recounted in 1909 in a scrapbook of prominent local physician and historian Dr. Anna Broomall. Two stories of local folklore documented in that scrapbook took place in Glen Providence Park <\/i>long before 1935, back when it was called Scroggie Valley<\/b><\/span><\/a>: a 1700\u2019s Newlywed Ghost Story<\/b><\/span><\/a> and the 1800\u2019s Witches Ride<\/b><\/span><\/a>. <\/i>The Hedgerow Ensemble enacted both of these eerie tales,\u00a0<\/strong> also recreating a scene from the tavern in one of the stories, with Hedgerow Executive Director Penelope Reed as Dr. Anna Broomall.<\/strong><\/p>\n Twilight enveloped the park as the evening concluded with Grey Kelsey leading the audience and Hedgerow actors in singing the Hallowe\u2019en song.<\/strong> A parade of costumed characters departed the park for a night of trick or treating on the town.<\/p>\n This celebration exceeded all our expectations and we are so grateful for the many people and organizations that supported this wonderful community event.<\/p>\n Thank you to our Event Sponsor\u00a0Sterling Pig<\/span><\/a>,<\/strong> the exciting new restaurant and brewery located on the border of Glen Providence Park, just one block from the main entrance. The amazing ensemble actors of Hedgerow Theatre<\/span><\/a>,<\/strong> our wonderful partner in this dramatic event, made the experience fun and brought history to life. Delaware County Parks & Recreation<\/span><\/a>\u00a0restored the historical stage this summer for the park\u2019s 80th\u00a0<\/span>anniversary.<\/strong> They have cared for Glen Providence Park since its creation in 1935, and their support makes our events possible.<\/p>\n And a special round of applause to the many families,\u00a0friends, neighbors and members of the community who participated whole heartedly in this event!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n See the wonderful photos by George Tate for a taste of this bewitching event! Click on any for a closer look, or scroll through them all…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t