Orange pumpkins, crisp autumn leaves, and laughter filled the air as vampires, Minecraft Endermen, Disney princesses, and rainbow pterodactyls lined the streets of Merl Bunts Park in Lakewood to celebrate the season. This abnormal phenomenon was this year’s Fall Day at the Park and Costume Parade, presented by Friends of Merl Bunts Park (FOMB).
The festivities took place the evening of Sunday, Oct. 26, before everyone had to be home for dinner. A fun day full of friends, this is the first annual Frightening Fall Day at the Park for FOMBP, with hopes of making it a neighborhood tradition in the near future.
Founded by Lakewood resident Tim DeWald, Friends of Merl Bunts Park is a relatively new group within the city that came together after the park had undergone remodeling, with its grand re-opening happening this past August. “This park was recently redesigned, and we thought it’d be a good time to get together and have a group of us make some events so people would come out and enjoy the park, be with each other, celebrate the fall and get some candy,” DeWald said.
Now, with a new and improved layout—and playground—the community is hoping to get much more use out of the park and bring more attention to it with fun events and neighborhood get-togethers. DeWald said, “It brings people together. It’s what the community’s about, right? People coming together, talking to each other, it makes people happy.”
Merl Bunts Park is one of Lakewood’s many parks and provides a communal space in an area that isn’t close to the Metroparks or Lake Erie. Lakewood prides itself on its closely knit infrastructure, which fosters a close-knit community. “We love Lakewood because it is very walkable. It’s got restaurants, bars, activities, parks, and all these special things. It’s very accessible to everybody around us, and you don’t have to get in the car and drive someplace,” said DeWald. His daughter, Mara DeWald, said, “We love Lakewood; it is a very special place.”
After all the families had arrived, it was straight to the pumpkin decorating. DeWald had festive tablecloths set up under the pavilion, along with paint, markers and other decorative supplies, allowing the kids to bring their visions to life—on pumpkins. As the pumpkins began to dry, the children moved on to socialize and play games. DeWald and other parents provided snacks, drinks, and—of course—tons of candy.
Finally, the time came for the costume parade, by far the most anticipated part of the afternoon. Parents lined everyone up along Merl on the north side of the park to march to a spooky playlist, including the classic “The Monster Mash,” to showcase their particularly sinister disguises. Volunteers and parents all clapped and cheered as each child made their way around the park, proudly marching, showing off their outfits and soaking up all the attention.
As the sun began to turn everything gold, dipping behind treetops, the children—pockets full of candy and all—proudly carried home their pumpkins after an action-packed afternoon. Costumes that had started out bright and picture-perfect now looked loved, a sign of a day well spent.
This festival isn’t just a day of fun—it is a reflection of Lakewood’s warm community spirit. Adrienne Miller, another Lakewood parent in attendance, said, “I think that’s what makes Lakewood special, the sense of community. And I’ve definitely learned that having one kid—that it takes a village.”
The event organizers hope to see things like this grow to get more community engagement and show appreciation for Lakewood’s generous park system. In a season all about community, creativity, and a touch of the spooky, Lakewood families found a reason to come together and celebrate everything that makes fall special.
