Spiral Q’s Peoplehood Parade is this Saturday.

Here’s an assortment of events happening this weekend in West Philly and vicinity. For more events, check out our Events page. Also, it’s time to carve your pumpkin and enter it in our Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest!

Saturday, Oct. 24

• Give Kids Sight Day – Free eye care and eyeglasses at Give Kids Sight Day from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Medical College Alumni Hall, 1020 Locust St. No appointments or insurance is necessary.

• A free document-shredding event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State Rep. James Roebuck’s district office, 4712 Baltimore Ave.

• Spruce Hill Community Association is hosting a Fall Book Sale and Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their office (257 S 45th St.).

• From The Robeson House to Clark Park: the 16th annual Peoplehood Parade will kick off at 1 p.m.

• Catch Curio Theatre’s new show “The Handmaid’s Tale” on the main stage (48th and Baltimore), 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 25

• Join your neighbors for Halloween Family Fun Day at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland), 12 – 4 p.m.

• Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra presents music from 5,000 years of civilization at Kimmel Center (300 S Broad St.), 2 p.m.

• A Classical Arab Music and Poetry concert by Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble, with poetry reading by Ahmad Almallah, Trinity Center for Urban Life (22nd and Spruce), 4 p.m.

Each year, dozens of little monsters, princesses, supermen, cowboys, Mickey Mice and other Halloween costume-clad kids and parents, gather near 45th and Baltimore for the Spruce Hill Tot Parade, followed by a party on the 4200 block of Osage (“Little Osage”). This year is no exception to this great neighborhood tradition. More details, provided by the event organizer, Spruce Hill Community Association, are below. Also, check out photos from last year’s parade and party.

The 18th annual Spruce Hill Halloween Tot Parade and Party, organized in a joint effort between the Spruce Hill Community Association and neighbors on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue, will start at 45th and Larchwood at 3:30 p.m. with a rousing drum and cymbal band provided by the University of Penn DrumLine.

The parade and ‘trick or treating’ will then proceed East over Larchwood Avenue, ending on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue where the neighbors throw their annual block-party style Halloween celebration treating the children to cider and baked goods provided by neighbors and local businesses.

Later on, be sure your trick-or-treating route includes the Spruce Hill Center (257 S 45th St), where SHCA board member and Mel-Lo Townwatch leader Jackie Waiters will continue the long standing tradition of delighting trick-or-treaters with hand assembled goodie bags.

Where: Parade starts at 45th and Larchwood, ending on the 4200 block of Osage.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31. Assemble begins at 3 p.m. Parade starts at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Halloween Party

Halloween is less than a month away and the Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion (40th and Woodland) is once again presenting a series of fun and spooky events for kids and adults alike. More information is below. Also, Bindlestiff Books (4530 Baltimore Ave.) is accepting donations of children’s books for All Hallow’s Read: a spooky book swap that will be held at the Woodlands on Sunday, Oct. 25, from Noon to 4.

HollyWoodlands Movie Night featuring Ghostbusters
Saturday, Oct. 17
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m.
Requested donation: $10 for adults, $2 for children under 12yrs
Household Level Members and up: Free entry

The Woodlands will provide the firepits, you bring the s’mores, blankets and chairs. PB & Jams and Happy Hippy will be onsite to provide all your snacking needs.  Continue Reading

Philly Thriller dancers perform in front of The Rotunda near 40th and Walnut. (Facebook photo)

Halloween is approaching fast, and the super popular local dance group Philly Thriller is seeking performers for the 7th annual Thriller-inspired flash mob-style dance routine on Halloween night. Rehearsals will begin on Friday, Oct. 16. If you’re interested to join the group, check out this announcement from the Magic Bowl Dance Company:

Always wanted to do the Thriller dance? Saw us last year and want to join in on the fun this year? Be there for a night of performing a short Thriller-inspired dance routine in the streets of West Philly!

Rehearsals pre-registration is required as space is limited!
In full costume and zombie make-up! Four Rehearsals [will be held at University City Arts League]. Must be 18 or older.  Continue Reading

The usual host of zombies, ghosts, goblins and other assorted scary types turned out for Friday’s Halloween parade in the Spruce Hill neighborhood. The annual tradition began near 45th and Baltimore and concluded on the finely decorated 4200 block of Osage Ave, (“Little Osage”). We could go on about the costumes and the Thriller dancers, but it’s easier just to show you. Check out the photos below.

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This photo came from our reader Ms. Walker who lives near 49th and Sansom. Happy Halloween!