The Greenbelt Recreation Arts Program invited families and children of all ages to the first in-person Halloween celebration in Roosevelt Center since the pandemic on Friday, October 28. Attendees dressed in Halloween or cosplay costumes joined in the creative transformation of Roosevelt Center into a Wild Rumpus.
This event drew inspiration from the classic children’s book Where the Wild Things Are. Max, sovereign of the Wild Things, was there in her white wolf suit. When she was impressed by someone’s costume artistry or spirited dance moves, she invited them to be knighted. If summoned, they were requested to kneel politely for the tapping ceremony. Maeve Wolfram and Carleigh Ezzell, 10-year-old friends who were dressed as dead cheerleaders at the Wild Rumpus, said their favorite part was “the silent performances and the performers’ cool costumes.”
A Wild Rumpus of all kinds of characters trick-or-treated around the Center with the Greenbelt City Council, local merchants and nonprofit organizations. Participants included the Greenbelt Library, Greenbelt Arts Center, Greenbelt Co-op Supermarket, Cedars of Lebanon, Realty 1, Greenbelt Federal Credit Union, Generous Joe’s, Mini Mart, Greenbelt Sunoco, Greenbelt Auto and Truck, Maria’s Beauty Salon, Solar Nails, Beijing restaurant, Choice Clinical Services, Bee Fusion Yoga and additional Granite Building tenants.
The trick-or-treat route ended back at the central plaza, where guests enjoyed free spooky short films at the Old Greenbelt Theatre. After two years without a Halloween celebration in the Center, everyone was especially happy to see the children and costumes return and a good time – and perhaps too much candy – was had by all.
City of Greenbelt Arts programs are supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. For more program information and to sign up for a weekly arts newsletter, visit greenbeltmd.gov/arts.
Information about the Wild Rumpus was taken from an October 19 article by Nicole DeWald.
