If you have been waiting for news about the Spruce Hill Halloween “Tot” Parade, here is a short update for now: the popular annual event that draws hundreds of participants will not return this year in its usual form, according to the organizers, the Spruce Hill Community Association. However, a smaller event is being planned in the neighborhood. Stay tuned for more information.

Families are also invited to celebrate Halloween at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) during Halloween Family Fun Day. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 24 from Noon to 3 p.m. and will feature a digital Halloween themed self-guided tour, and performances by Tangle Movement Arts and Karen Smith’s “Spiritual Atmospheric Cleansing.” Also after a hiatus, All Hallow’s Read, a spooky book event, will return this year as part of the Family Fun Day. Please bring a spooky or seasonal book to swap. Readers of all ages and spooky costumes of all kinds are welcome. Go here for more info. Continue Reading

Hamilton Mansion (Photo courtesy of The Woodlands)

The Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion is bringing back some of its popular seasonal events, both for children and adults, after last year’s hiatus. Check out more info below about this year’s After Hours event, Halloween Family Fun Day and Halloween Cocktail Party. Also, bird lovers are invited to the Woodlands on Friday, Oct. 8 for an early morning bird walk (the event begins at 7:30 a.m.). This is a great chance to observe birds during fall migration. The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Go here for more info. Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has come up with alternative ways to celebrate Halloween in the neighborhood this year after the annual Tot Parade was cancelled. A neighborhood scavenger hunt is currently underway with some great prizes for those who submit correct entries. Here’s how you can participate:

The 10 letters that spell “Spruce Hill” are spread throughout Spruce Hill (see map) and all you have to do is find them! Full instructions, along with clues and a submission form are available online here, or you can print out a hard copy of the form and submit your answers in the mail slot at the Spruce Hill Center, located at 257 South 45th St.  Continue Reading

UPDATE (10/24/2020): Spruce Hill Community Association has launched a neighborhood Scavenger Hunt. Here are more details:

Spread throughout Spruce Hill are the 10 letters that spell “Spruce Hill.” All you have to do is find all 10 letters! Full instructions, along with clues and a submission form, can be found online, or you can print out a hard copy of the form and submit your answers in the mail slot at the Spruce Hill Center, located at 257 South 45th St. The first 100 entries with all 10 correct locations will receive a small prize supporting one of neighborhood businesses after the hunt closes. Deadline for submission is Sunday, Nov. 1 at midnight.

Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has canceled this year’s Halloween Tot Parade, an event that had been held for 23 years. Instead, neighborhood residents are invited to participate in a virtual Spruce Hill Halloween Parade, which will take place online at www.sprucehillca.org. Submit photos of your Halloween costumes or decorations via email to shcahalloween@sharypic.com, or tag your Instagram or Twitter posts with #SHCAHalloween from October 30 to November 1 and you’ll appear in the virtual parade!

SHCA is also hosting a Spruce Hill neighborhood scavenger hunt, which will launch this weekend. There will be a bunch of great prizes to those that successfully complete the search.  Continue Reading

The annual Spruce Hill Halloween Parade has been cancelled. (Photo West Philly Local)

As was expected the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has cancelled its annual Halloween Tot Parade, a tradition that goes back 23 years. The post-parade block party at the “Little Osage” where neighbors offer sweets and treats to children, has also been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

However, folks will still be able to celebrate in a socially distanced manner, according to SHCA Board President Evan Johnstone. Some alternative plans are currently in the works to help keep the Halloween spirit alive, including  house decorating, a kid-friendly, Halloween themed activity, and trick-or-treating options while maintaining a safe distance. We’ll let you know when plans are finalized and more details are available.  Continue Reading

Photos by West Philly Local

The rain didn’t prevent hundreds of youngsters, their older siblings, parents and grandparents from showing up at the annual Spruce Hill Halloween Tot Parade in their best spooky/funny/bizarre costumes. Some older folks who are very into Halloween showed up too! Anyway, check out some more photos below. Until next year!  Continue Reading