{"id":223074,"date":"2019-11-12T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/223074\/dawnview-a-festival-of-frights\/"},"modified":"2019-11-12T09:19:58","modified_gmt":"2019-11-12T07:19:58","slug":"dawnview-a-festival-of-frights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2019\/11\/12\/dawnview-a-festival-of-frights\/","title":{"rendered":"Dawnview a festival of frights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ghouls, ghosts and an assortment of other fantastic creatures took to the streets of Dawnview last Friday night for the Dawnview Home Owners Association\u2019s (DHOA) annual Halloween celebrations.<\/p>\n

The event began four years ago and has become a firm favourite on the community\u2019s calendar.<\/p>

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\u201cWe ask that if houses are willing to participate they decorate their gates and then the children of the neighbourhood head out and trick or treat,\u201d explained Bonita Birch, a member of DHOA.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe trick-or-treat evening was established after it was suggested on the DHOA WhatsApp group four years ago.<\/p>

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\u201cThe entertainment committee helped plan it from there and it has grown ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe community members who participate each year go out of their way to make the event special, with amazing decorations for their houses and treats for the children.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome years the weather hasn\u2019t been on our side, but that doesn\u2019t stop the trick-or-treaters from coming out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has also been an increase in the number of children who participate each year, which is great.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo see groups of children out and about in costumes is a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Though the holiday is not for everyone, each resident makes the event special in their own way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe give all residents the option of participating and we know that this may not be for everyone,\u201d said Bonita.<\/p>\n

\u201cResidents who don\u2019t participate still support the initiative by ensuring that visitors don\u2019t speed and that they watch out for pedestrians and they really help ensure the safety of the children participating.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe children love it, one afternoon leading up to the event a group of neighbourhood children stopped at my gate and chatted to my son about their costumes because they were so excited it was almost time to trick or treat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe event really helps the children in the community get to know each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked if the event will be on the cards next year Bonita responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, definitely,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvents like these where you can participate with the whole family are really important in fostering community spirit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis event is done in such a great way that you get to meet your neighbours in a fun and engaging way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also love that we have trick-or-treaters from babies to teens who participate, even parents dress up.\u201d<\/p>\n

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This year was the first year DHOA had some prizes for the best costume and best decorated house, with Ward 36 councillor Wendy Morgan acting as judge for the evening.<\/p>\n

Evandro da Fonseca won the best costume prize for his Baby Woody costume.<\/p>\n

While the Thomas family, from Ridge Road, won first place for the best decorated house and the Griffin family, from Ralston Avenue, won second place.<\/p>\n

Prizes for the winners were sponsored by local businesses Global Radio 247, AutoX and Carlos Chicken and residents Howard and Irene De Longh.<\/p>\n