Miller Minutes
We’re getting down to the wire when it comes to planning, constructing and purchasing materials for a Halloween costume.
Sure, you can always purchase a ready-made costume from a store, but in my experience it’s much more fun and rewarding to make your own.
Fellow reporters around the newsroom had some good ideas for costumes, from literary figures to pop-culture icons. Reporter Eddie Trizzino even suggested dressing as a Butler Eagle, or an eagle who works as a butler.
For the sake of this column, I’m going to share what last-minute costumes I came up with that are sure to be a hoot and are guaranteed to get recognized as you trick-or-treat your local neighborhood.
1. A Mars borough alien. You could dress up as a little green man or an accompanying spaceship.
2. Rocky the Rock, the mascot of Slippery Rock University. This clever costume was first constructed from a gray sweatsuit. He remains a popular topic to this day.
3. Your favorite teacher or coach from any area school district. I have personally done this one, and the teachers find it hilarious.
4. Bret Michaels, since this famous rocker was born in Butler.
5: A Jeep. This Butler staple should be easy enough to construct from a cardboard box.
6. A spooky ghost ... of Butler’s past. My recommendation would be General Richard Butler himself.
No matter what you decide to dress up as this Halloween, make sure you dress warm and stay safe! There are plenty of events coming up that can prepare you for the spooky season.
Come out to Buffalo Creek Nature Park to experience the Creatures of the Night event from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. Registration is required via the website aswp.org/pages/creatures-of-the-night-2023. The event costs $6 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Costumes are encouraged.
The family-friendly Haunted Trails walk at Alameda Park in Butler Township is sure to excite. Trail tours are every 10 minutes, beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21. This is recommended for children older than age 5. The use of strollers or wagons is discouraged. Meet at the Masonic Shelter with your $5 admission.
The Living Dead weekend in Evans City celebrates the 55th anniversary of the film “Night of the Living Dead.” There are events at Steamfitters Center in Jackson Township running Friday through Sunday, Oct. 20 to 22. See a detailed itinerary and purchase tickets on thelivingdeadweekend.com.
See a live theater performance at the Butler Art Center, 344 S. Main St., this weekend. “Let Him Sleep ’Til It’s Time for His Funeral” is a story about a man in midlife crisis and his wife’s hilarious attempt to show him his life is not over. Purchase tickets via butlerartcenterandgallery.org/theatre for performances on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21.
The 18th annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 21. This event is the park’s major fundraiser, and registration is available via runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon.
The Seven Fields Spooktacular Stroll in the park on Castle Creek Drive is open to anyone by registering via eventbrite.com. The event is from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, and is recommended for children under age 12. It will feature a pumpkin patch, spooky surprises, games and more.
Jackson Township’s Touch-A-Truck event will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Sippel Reservoir Park, 400 Reservoir Park Drive, Harmony. Explore the vehicles and equipment and learn about those who protect and serve our community.
Walkers and runners are welcome to join the Preston Park 5K from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22. Register for $25 at runsignup.com.
A trunk-or-treat is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22 at Pullman Park, 100 Pullman Park Place in Butler. The event is free and will feature games and hayrides.
