On October 24, Buckeye held its 85th annual Halloween festival, and it was my first time attending. I don’t personally celebrate Halloween because of its negative, horror-focused vibe, but it is my great-granddaughter’s favorite holiday. She enjoys the bright colors, playful decorations, creative costumes, and festive atmosphere that make the occasion so much fun for her. She arrived dressed for comfort in comfy clothes and shiny boots, ready for fun and candy. I went so I could spend time with family and test out my new flash while photographing the fun and festivities. The weather could not have been better. A gentle breeze kept us from baking in the afternoon heat, and once the sun went down, the moon made a beautiful appearance. That comfortable weather, combined with the cheerful crowd, helped create an atmosphere that felt upbeat, friendly, and welcoming. The event offered plenty of activities, including bingo, a cake walk, and music from a DJ. I even joined in and danced to the “Cha Cha Slide” and “Flex.”

One thing I appreciated was that there were not many frightening costumes or faces covered in heavy, dark makeup. Instead, the costumes were imaginative, colorful, and fun. We saw a farmer chasing a small, very fast chicken, Bigfoot, several cute witches, a bride, a few dinosaurs and dragons, and many princesses zig-zagging through the crowd. There were memorable characters everywhere I looked. The “air patrol” appeared to be on guard, and I could immediately tell who was in charge when I heard someone giving orders just as I was trying to gather them for a picture. Moments like that made photographing the festival especially enjoyable. The pictures capture not only the costumes but also the personalities, interactions, and energy shared by all. My new flash and I had a little trouble communicating throughout the evening. Most of the images turned out well, but I lost a few because the exposure was not consistent. Even so, using it at a busy outdoor event gave me valuable practice. Every photograph helped me learn more about how the flash responds in changing light and how to correct the results.

At one point, we helped a young lady find her family, and before leaving, we gave away our remaining tickets to grateful parents. After the festival, we stopped at Argento’s, where we enjoyed pizza, salad, and drinks before heading home. Overall, it was a good night filled with family time,  music, photography, and memorable moments. I may go again next year.