As the fall weather sweeps into Dallastown, the festive activities adored by students and citizens blow in with it. Students from now and then can call upon the fan-favorite traditions of the chilling months, but how have these events been modified over time? What events have stood strong over the years, and what once popular events have since then been retired from routine?
Fall Festival & Battle of The Bands
Fall Festival, a once cherished event hosted to raise money for “Dollars for Scholars” organization, now the Dallastown Education Foundation, was once a popular fall event at Dallastown that is no longer offered.
During the festival, clubs, sports teams, and student council were expected to participate and be in charge of an activity for the festival to raise money for the scholarships.
The festival provided a multitude of activities throughout its run for visitors of all ages to enjoy such as Monster basketball, ‘Dance Dance’ revolution, Battle of the Bands, dodgeball, dunk tanks, pumpkin painting, a 5k run, book fair, and even Cow Patty Bingo!
“I remember there used to be a ton of books you could buy for a dollar, I always had fun picking some out,” said former graduate, Avery Layton ‘21.
Advertisements were sent out during the fall through newspapers, flyers, and even through The Beacon to entice citizens to attend.
The weather was never the worry, some years when weather was unpredictable the event would be moved indoors which never appeared to dim the light of visitors.
Battle of the Bands, a cherished event that allowed students involved in bands to compete and perform for viewers was also held at the festival drawing in music lovers from all over.
Judges from all over would come in to judge the bands, in 2005 the producer of AC/DC and Kid Rock came to Dallastown to judge the competition.
Sadly, eventually both Battle of the Bands and Fall Festival came to an end due to lack of interest and loss of volunteers.
Fall Attractions
While some may argue that Pennsylvania has nothing fun to do, that is certainly not the case during Fall.
During fall, many farms across York, PA such as Orchard Valley Farm, Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market, and Brown’s Orchard & Farm Market open their fields and markets to civilians for Fall shopping, Apple Picking, Pumpkin picking, and festive events.
For those who enjoy the Halloween aspect of fall and the thrill of being scared, there are a number of Haunted attractions throughout Pennsylvania that seem to be popular amongst Pennsylvanians.
Field Of Screams for instance, is located on 191 College Avenue, Mountville, PA, and draws in on average 75,000 guest per year, some of those guests are students from Dallastown!
Field of Screams opened in 1993 and has been a popular favorite attraction amongst many since then. The gates open at 7 P.M from 10-11 P.M.
The attraction offers 4 different haunted attractions, Nocturnal Wasteland, Frightmare Asylum, Den of Darkness, and the Haunted Hayride. In addition, Field of Screams offers Mini events held throughout the Season such as Extreme blackout and the 5k Zombie Fun Run.
“Field of Screams is always fun to go to, especially with friends. The Haunted Hayride is definitely crazy, they just chase after you and you can hear chainsaws in the distance, they even come up close to you with the chainsaws.” Expressed senior, Colton Leader, while reflecting on his own personal experience at the attraction.
Another Haunted attraction that draws in costumers in Pennsylvania during the fall is Jason’s Woods.
Jason’s Woods can be found on 99 Stehman Rd, Lancaster, PA 17603, and is open in September to November from 7 to 9-10 P.M.
Jason’s Woods was opened in 1983, and since then has welcomed around 30,000-40,000 each year since its opening.
While attending Jason’s Woods you can attend their five full size attractions, Horrifying Hayride, Zombie Apocalypse, lost in Jason’s Woods, Chamber of Horrors, Carnival of Fears, and Jason’s Woods Midway. On top of those attractions, you can also choose a themed Hayride such as, Twisted, Tidal Force, Wrecking Machine, Earthquake, and Grinder.
During September to November, the Family Friendly Hershey Park even adds three “Scare Zones” to their 121-acre large Park along with five different Haunted Houses for guests to enjoy.
The Chocolate themed park opened it gates in 1906, but Hershey Park’s “Dark Nights”, wasn’t introduced until 2022.
Hershey Park already rounds in nearly 3 million visitors each year, thousands of those visitors visiting when Dark Nights is in season.
The Dark Night events begin at 6 P.M and does not have a set ending time for the night, though the whole park does close at 10 P.M.
The five Haunted Houses offered to guests are the New Estate of Evil, Auntie Mortems Abattoir, Haunted Coal Mine: Curse of The Tommyknockers, Twisted Carnevil, and The Descent. All Haunted houses require a paid for ticket, but the three different “Scare zones”, Fallout Zone, Midway of Misery, and Darkstone’s Hollow are open to all guests attending for the night.
“The amount of creativity in the costumes and houses is better than any other I’ve been to. 10/10 definitely recommend Hersheypark in the Dark!” ‘00 graduate and current teacher, Stefanie Smeltzer, exclaimed.
Not only are there scare actors inside the haunted houses, but they wander around the scare zone’s as well to frighten visitors walking house-to-house, or just visiting the zone.
Haunted Hallways
Dallastown High School’s very own Haunted Hallways was an adored event that had a short run. Haunted Hallways made its debut on October 29, 2014, and came to an end in 2016.
The initial idea was brought up in a conference in New York earlier that summer, Musical director Amy Anderson and several other teachers decided to bring it back to Dallastown to see if it was worth a shot, it sure was! That year, the haunted attraction brought in nearly 600 guests into the high school.
Multiple clubs and sports teams took part in the haunting, each team/club participating received profit from the money that was raised from the event.
Each group participating would come up with a theme for their section of the school, for example, in 2014 JROTC haunted the gymnasium, National Art Honors Society created a haunted circus to terrorize guests, and the Tennis team transformed the locker rooms into spooky asylums.
“The first year of Haunted Hallways, I was coaching cheerleading, and our hallway was creepy doll themed. We spent so much time getting it ready, decorating, coming up with outfits and makeup. It turned out great!”, said former Cheerleading Coach and current DHS teacher, Angela Gable, while reflecting on the night.
The event was typically held on a weeknight meaning that students would have to begin setting up right after 2:50 to be ready in time when guests arrived and taken down immediately after for the following school day.
“I marveled at the creativity of our students and staff who made the activity happen. It was a HUGE undertaking, and it involved many people and groups working together. But the results were memorable!” Shared DHS teacher, Danielle Godfrey, whilst reflecting on the event and admiring the creativity and participation used from all involved.
Window Painting
The Halloween window painting was an opportunity for Art Majors here at Dallastown to paint the various windows on Main Street for Halloween that was offered from the 90’s to the 2010’s.
Dallastown Borough would reach out to Businesses such as Roma’s Pizza, Sal’s Little Italy, Parma’s Pizza, and Homeowners to see who would be interested in having festive Fall images painted in their windows.
The window painting was a joyous yet tedious task, some years it took some students up to 6 hours to complete their work.
In advance, weeks leading up until the painting date, businesses that have approval for painting would send out measurements of their windows for students, the Artist would then begin sketching their design out in class as a template to guide them in preparation for the day of.
“Students had to prep the windows, clean them, lay out drop clothes and plastic so no paint got on the sidewalks or façade of the business,” said Dallastown teacher Thomas Myers, when discussing what the painting process was like for students.
The paintings weren’t just for civilians to enjoy, the Burrough would award an artist with a cash prize along with their business support.
Over the years the journey to Main Street was turned into a field trip to seek more participation as volunteers began to decline.
Students involved with the painting received a grade of 50 points depending on their participation for the event.
The window painting is no longer offered to Art students at Dallastown due to the Borough Council in charge of the event becoming dismantled and a loss of contact.
“I miss when the windows were painted on Main St. for Halloween,” DHS grad Ashley Coeyman expressed, hoping to see this tradition make a comeback.
Halloween Parade
Halloween is a busy time for Dallastown’s Main Street, especially when it’s time for the annual Halloween parade.
Every year towards the end of October, soon to be Trick-or-Treaters and civilians gather on the packed street and wait to gather candy and view a parade.
Various Dallastown school district affiliated sports teams and clubs such as Football, Cheer, Mini-THON, DPAC, and the Marching Band Walk through the streets alongside local businesses, organizations, and Politicians to put on an outstanding parade by creating floats, performances, and goodies to hand out.
The parade travels down through Pleasant Avenue and Out onto Main Street and turns to head back to the High School on Walnut Street.
This year’s parade was held on October 17 at 7:00 P.M. and had quite the turn out!
“It used to be a lot bigger, more people in the actual parade then there are now. Used to start on South Pleasant Avenue onto Main Street and finished at Rutters. But, 10 years ago they shortened it. People put out chairs and blankets to reserve spots, nothing like today,” shared Jay Leader, ‘88 graduate.
Although the parade has been shortened throughout the year in more ways than one, it never fails to bring joy and spirit to participants and spectators.
“I really thought the parade was spectacular. I thought the floats were really creative and the music was groovy! I really enjoyed hanging out with my friends and getting some wicked candy,” said current junior, Layla Lark.
Halloween Dance
Students today are familiar with the parade and Halloween night, but many are unfamiliar with the Halloween dance once held in the early 1970’s-90’s.
Students would throw on their best costumes and head over to a fun-packed night held in the school’s lobby.
“In the Late 70’s, early 80’s you entered at the back door at the gym, where the buses load, and walked through a haunted maze to get to the Halloween dance in the lobby,” DHS grad Laura Stabley -Smith recalls.
Students would also get judged on their costumes which would then award a winner with a cash prize for best costume which could either be individual or collaborative! Students dressed up as the Wizard of Oz characters, Old McDonald and his farm, and even a brick wall!
“The Halloween dance at DHS was so much fun, and everyone had amazing costumes. My senior year, my friends and I went as the Spice Girls as they were popular at the time!” Expressed Smeltzer.
Dallastown has not held a Halloween dance in over a decade for reasons left disclosed, but the event surely seemed to be a hit in its day!
Jennifer Leader • Nov 1, 2024 at 2:10 pm
Great job!