It’s the best street in the West End. From Davie to Robson, from Mole Hill to the minipark at Haro, these blocks of Bute have a wonderful mix of heritage homes and small apartment blocks, dating from the early part of the 20th century. Better yet, they have a wonderful sense of community – which expresses itself most effusively on special occasions. Like Hallowe’en.
Last night, word was out. Hundreds of kids and their parents descended on the street (surely from more neighbourhoods than just the West End). Activities were concentrated on three blocks, anchored by Rand House on the corner at Nelson, with “Baron von Zumzing’s Travelling Sideshow” – a fundraiser for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank – at 925 Bute in the middle. With every house in between putting on a frightfully good display.
Meanwhile, I was hiding out at Bute and Haro, with my terrorized 70-lb dog trying to get onto my lap, feeling besieged by the fireworks that have been going off night and day since Monday. Doesn’t feel like such community spirit to me. Thankfully over for another year.
C’mon Mark, have fun in this life.
What, no one’s complaining abot the waste of food represented by all of the carved pumpkins?
Or the plastic wrappers on all the individually wrapped candies handed to kids?
Or the plastic decorations leading Halloween to challenge Christmas for commercialization status?