See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joanna DelBuono
Brooklyn Daily
Carroll Gardens
Little ghosts and goblins were treated to a fun day at Scotto’s Funeral Home this Halloween. Owners John Heyer II, aka Dracula, and Debra Scotto gussied up the front garden on Court Street and transformed the corner into ghoul central with a black curtain and Nosferatu’s coffin, which was used to hold more than 97 pounds of candy the tricksters gobbled up.
Dad John Heyer Sr., told standing O, “I was amazed to see how many came this year,” adding, “It had to be more than 1,000 little ones from in-the-stroller to tweens and teens, dressed in their favorite literary characters.”
Mother-in-law Francesca Reca, a retired public school teacher’s aid, donned her ghostly rags to pass out the sweet treats and shared a few boos and oohs. Wife Maria and staff member Joseph Igneri, who dressed up as the “Chainsaw Massacre” man, were on hand to make sure that each little goblin got his fair share of the goodies.
John Jr. told standing O the annual Halloween fest started about seven years ago, when he realized that the children of Carroll Gardens didn’t have a parade of their own on the exact day.
“We gave out candy every year, but then I realized that the families had to go outside of the neighborhood on the actual day to enjoy the holiday, because Carroll Gardens hosts its parade a week before, so we decided to create a Halloween event of our own.” He added, “It originally started out with just a few bouncy rides and candy but now it’s a big thing. Families come every year and take pictures with me. They have a record of how their children have grown and the different costumes.”
Carroll Gardeners explored their inventive sides this year and came as super heroes, ghosts, Harry Potters, and even themed storybook characters.
“Families reenacted fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, with someone in wolf’s clothing, even the Three Little Pigs were present huffing and puffing the houses down,” explained John.
Last year, John suspended the festivities due to Sandy’s wrath, but this year the fangs came out bigger and better than ever for a ghoulishly good time.
Standing O sends out “boo”tiful thanks for a fun(eral) “spook”tacular Halloween party.
Scotto Funeral Home [106 First Pl. at Court Street in Carroll Gardens, (718) 875–2515]