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πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸ¬ Welcome to our 2024 Halloween Guide πŸ¬πŸ‘»πŸŽƒ

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πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸ¬ Welcome to our 2024 Halloween Guide πŸ¬πŸ‘»πŸŽƒ


Halloween is making a statement everywhere right now.

End caps of grocery stores overflow with bags of candy corn and mini chocolate bars. Skeletons and witches loom throughout the neighborhood, and farms, bars, breweries, museums and other venues are ready to entertain you, scare you silly, or both.

So, whether your idea of Halloween is a trunk or treat with other families, chased with streaming “Hocus Pocus,” or it’s more zombie run and Frightland, we’ve got you:

Right up there with apple-picking, corn mazes and haunted houses, pumpkin-picking has become a fall traditiion for many.

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In 2020 alone, as many as 66,200 acres of pumpkins were harvested in the United States, producing over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins that year, according to theΒ USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

From the classic orange jack-o’-lantern to the whimsical Cinderella’s coach, pumpkins are a staple of the season – and many are ripe and ready to be picked.

Here’s where – and how – you can pick your perfect pumpkin in the First State this fall.

Halloween is just around the corner, and a majority of Americans have begun their planning and shopping for Halloween costumes.

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According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated $12.2 billion was spent on Halloween last year across the country, nearly a third of which was spent on costumes, and the shopping wave seems to startΒ earlier and earlier.

Here are some stores around Delaware to look for the perfect costumes and decorations this Halloween season, plus some events and contests that will get the spooky season started.

It’s about that time of year when Halloween costume planning is starting to set in.Β 

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If you’re out of classic ideas and looking for something topical and modern, here are some costumes inspired by the happenings of 2024 so that you’re the life of your upcoming Halloween celebration.

Halloween celebrations are filled with plenty of tricks and treats, and while horror-filled fun comes with the season, it may not be suitable for everyone.

Whether you have small kiddos in tow or want something a bit tamer, here are some Halloween celebrations around the state that are perfect for family outings and children of all ages.

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Halloween thrill-seekers in Delaware, this spooky season’s events are ready to scare the pants off you, so going commando might not be wise.

Here’s a mix of freaky, witchy and eerie events that will be conjured around the First State, before and after Halloween.

If you thought southern Delaware had a lot of fall events, wait until you see the lineup for Halloween.

You’ll be fighting a candy hangover for months after attending all the parades, haunted houses, fantasy trails and more at or near the Delaware beaches. There’s no shortage of costumed events for adults, children, families, pets and zombies.

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Mark your calendars for these events.

Halloween is still just over a month away, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start planning this year’s Halloween party.

Just in time for the spooky season, these Halloween cocktails are unique ways to get into the spirit. IfΒ Sober OctoberΒ is more your speed, it’s even easier to make these into equally refreshing alcohol-free beverages.

Delaware is also home to plenty of cocktail bars and breweries that serve fall-inspired drinks.

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Here are some recipes to try at home and some Halloween-inspired brews to look for in Delaware.

There is no replacing trick-or-treating on Halloween. Kids and parents in costume greeting their neighbors and getting their favorite candy creates memories that can last a lifetime.

If you want an earlier start on the Halloween fun, there are some trunk-or-treats around the First State that can get everyone warmed up for holiday itself.

Trunk-or-treats are events where people park their cars and give out candy in a parking lot. Instead of a neighborhood, it’s a lot and instead of houses, it’s car trunks. Community center and churches are common places to see these events.

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Grab a bucket, bag or pillowcase, throw on a costume and check out some of these trunk-or-treats in all three Delaware counties right as Halloween season is in full swing.

In the home state of Dogfish Head’s iconic Punkin Ale, craft breweries take fall seriously.

Over the next month, breweries will roll out autumnal-themed events tying all sorts of things ― horror comics, candy, brunches and cooking and pet costume contests ― to, well, beer, of course.

So grab your favorite flannel and make some plans to celebrate pumpkin season with some of the state’s best beer-makers.

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The calendar has turned over to October meaning the clock is ticking for your Halloween preparations.

McDonald’s is ready, according to the Instagram siteΒ @snackolator. The fast food giant is bringing back Boo Buckets.

This Halloween season, forget about ghosts: The scariest thing is what the holiday does to the environment.

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According toΒ Waste Managed, Halloween generates a significant amount of waste, from discarded single-use costumes to nondisposable decorations to plastic candy bags.

Luckily, there are several ways to help curb your carbon footprint this year, but also make for fun new traditions for the whole family to enjoy.

Here are a few tricks-slash-treats you can help make for a sustainable and spook-tacular Halloween season.

As Halloween approaches, many revelers are eager to elevate their costumes with makeup but aren’t sure how to achieve their desired looks.

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While envisioning a face painted hauntingly white, intricately marked with swirls of black paint, hollow eye sockets and adorned with red petal flowers, they end up with makeup that feels dry, coverage that looks uneven and fades quickly.

However, with the right tools and a bit of practice, anyone can bring their Halloween vision to life.

Whether you’re leaning toward creative glam or venturing into special effects and fantasy looks, Delaware-based makeup artistsΒ Daysla IxtliΒ andΒ Chyna “Chy” GibbsΒ have expert tips to help you nail your spooky transformation.

It’s the spookiest time of the year and, in some cases, the only time you’ll see most of your neighbors.

Halloween is on the horizon, as shown by the holiday displays at local grocery stores, Walmarts and Targets.

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Here’s what you need to know about Halloween.

Check out some creepy houses of Halloweens past.

Here are some tips to ensure a safe night of Halloween trick-or-treating.





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Delaware

When will Delaware warm up? After snow, ice Tuesday, temps will rise

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When will Delaware warm up? After snow, ice Tuesday, temps will rise


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Meteorological winter has ended and we’ve entered spring.

However, there’s still a last winter blast hitting Delaware early this week before a spring warm up hits at the end of the week.

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Here’s a look at the Delaware forecast.

Will Delaware see more snow?

After a brisk Monday, March 2 with sunny skies and highs only reaching 35 degrees, there’s a chance of snow after 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 3 with freezing rain after 4 a.m. in New Castle County. Snow and freezing rain are expected before noon Tuesday, March 3. The county may receive less than a half inch of accumulation.

In Kent County and Sussex County, there’s a chance of snow and freezing rain after 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.

When will it warm up in Delaware?

It will start feeling like spring as warmer air moves into the First State on Tuesday evening, March 3, but wet weather is coming as well.

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Rain is predicted from Tuesday, March 3 through Friday, March 5, but spring-like temperatures will make it bearable. In New Castle County temperatures will range from the mid-50s on Wednesday, March 3 to the 60s on Thursday, March 4 and Friday, March 5. Kent County should see temperatures in the 60s and Sussex County will see 70s during the mid- to later part of the week

What’s the weekend forecast?

Remember when you were daydreaming about warm weather during the polar vortex or blizzard? Well, it is coming next weekend.

The forecast is calling for sunny to partly sunny skies throughout Delaware on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Highs will reach the upper 60s in the north to the low 70s in the south.

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Law enforcement increases security across Delaware Valley after U.S. strikes on Iran

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Law enforcement increases security across Delaware Valley after U.S. strikes on Iran


PHILADELPHIA – Law enforcement agencies across the Delaware Valley are boosting security at religious and cultural sites following U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, even as officials say there is no credible threat to the area.

The Department of Homeland Security also issued an alert after Operation Epic Fury, warning agencies to remain vigilant for suspicious activity despite assessing that a large-scale attack on U.S. soil is unlikely.

Hours after the strikes, protesters gathered in cities nationwide. In Phoenixville, dozens rallied Saturday afternoon, calling the military action “senseless.”

“Stop the war. People are suffering in this country with food prices, rent, healthcare, money for the people’s needs here,” said Curry Malott, a West Chester University associate professor of educational foundations and policy studies.

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President Donald Trump has said the joint operation would eliminate Iran’s nuclear and military programs and change the regime. Some demonstrators criticized the president’s decision.

“Trump has broken his campaign promises with no new wars, and here he is going into another,” said Kyle Horstmann of Phoenixville.

Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said in a statement that Iran poses a grave threat, adding, “Iran and its proxies are responsible for countless deaths of Americans and our partners. That record is long, deliberate, and undeniable-and it cannot be ignored.” He adds sustained military engagement should be done with consent of Congress.

Democratic leaders, including Senator Andy Kim, argued the president failed to seek congressional approval for the strikes.

“I have zero confidence in this president who has so flagrantly violated our constitution,” Kim said. He called for Congress to immediately reconvene to vote on a war powers resolution.

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“I hope there can be unanimity that when it comes to strikes of this magnitude, when American service members lives are at risk, what greater responsibility do we have in Congress than to look out for our service members and the national security of our country?” he said.

The Homeland Security alert also warned of potential low-level cyberattacks targeting U.S. networks, adding another layer of concern for authorities monitoring threats at home.

Copyright Β© 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Delaware County looks to boost maternal services in face of need

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Delaware County looks to boost maternal services in face of need


As the Delaware County Health Department recognized success over a year period, county officials also voiced work needed to be done particularly in light of infant and maternal outcomes.

β€œUnfortunately, in Delaware County, we do still have some issues with maternal and child health,” county Executive Director Barbara O’Malley said. β€œBetween 2019 and 2023, 1.3% of our births were classified as β€˜very low birthweight.’

Delaware County Executive Director Barbara O’Malley. (COURTESY OF DELAWARE COUNTY)

β€œThat’s actually higher than our neighboring suburban counties, which are all under 1%,” she explained. β€œAnd Philadelphia is at 1.6. So, we know we have work to do and that’s what our health department is here to do.”

O’Malley added that 15.6% of Delaware County residents received inadequate prenatal care, which is determined by when someone begins their prenatal care.

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In addition, County Deputy Health Director Stephanie Reese said the disparity among communities of color has grown.

β€œWhile Pennsylvania’s Black and white infant mortality gap has narrowed in recent years, Delaware County’s gap has widened. Black infant mortality in Delco increased from 2.9 to 3.9 times that of whites,” she said.

That’s a factor driven by low birthweights linked to premature birth and preventable social and environmental factors.

Stephanie Reese, deputy director of the Delaware County Health Department, left, with former Crozer nurse Peggy Malone at one of the health department's fairs. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY - DAILY TIMES)
Stephanie Reese, deputy director of the Delaware County Health Department, left, with former Crozer nurse Peggy Malone at one of the health department’s fairs. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY – DAILY TIMES)

Last week, Delaware County Council approved to advertise a request for proposals for an awareness and education campaign for the county health department’s Centralized Intake System and the Delco Doula Collaborative. This is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor grant.

This action will allow the DelcoDoula.org to go live once completed. This site for the Delco Doula Collaborative is aΒ web-based registry of perinatal doulas offering doula information and matching services in Delaware County.

β€œWe have so many resources available to people but they may just not be aware of how much we can do for people that are around maternal and child health issues,” O’Malley said.

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She said the intake system would be a single point of entry for maternal and child health resources, including eligibility-based matching.

β€œOnce we maybe learn about you, we can give you customized services and resources that you would qualify for,” O’Malley added.

The executive director explained why it’s critical to focus on these outcomes.

β€œWe do know that maternal and child health is very important for so many reasons,” O’Malley said. β€œA healthy infant, a healthy pregnancy obviously gives people a healthy life, a great start in life, has better health outcomes, educational outcomes and better outcomes for the families.”

Doula programs can help, she explained.

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β€œResearch shows that doula programs such as the one that is supported by grant funding through the health department (and) through The Foundation for Delaware County … that there are lower rates of pre-term births, lower rates of low birthweight, lower rates of Caesarian section and higher rates of breastfeeding,” O’Malley said.

One way to support this is through increased awareness of these programs and initiatives, something O’Malley said is hoped to improve birth outcomes and advance health equity in Delaware County.

While the awareness campaign is coming, many of these programs already exist.

One of the Delaware County Health Department programs is an annual bookbag distribution in August. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY - DAILY TIMES)
One of the Delaware County Health Department programs is an annual bookbag distribution in August. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY – DAILY TIMES)

β€œPeople can avail themselves of them right away,” O’Malley said, directing the community to the health department website.

There, moms and moms-to-be can get support through virtual pre- and postnatal partum doula groups, where moms can learn how to care for their baby, free supplies including diapers and baby essentials, immunizations for infants as well as mental health support for new moms.

β€œIt is critical that we get our Delaware County infants and youth off to the right start and taking care of their moms and families is the way to do it and we do have a lot of resources and we want to make sure that people take advantage of them,” O’Malley said.

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Other health programs

Among some of the efforts the Delaware County Health Department have done include meeting with residents during February to offer free blood pressure screenings across the county, including Yeadon, Lansdowne, Chester and Springfield.

Through its Delco Revive! program, it also continues to offer free CPR classes with another one being held at the Yeadon Wellness Center at 125 S. Chester Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.

β€œAccording to the American Heart Association, about 70% of cardiac arrests that happen outside the hospital occur in homes,” county Council Chair Richard Womack said. β€œPlease take the opportunity to learn how to save a life by participating in one of these classes.”

The health department also released its 2025 Annual Report that focused on strengthening public health infrastructure, expanding equitable access to services, and deepening community partnerships across the county.

Some of the accomplishments included expanded doula services, maternal wellness programming, and youth health initiatives to support healthy families and improve early-life outcomes; comprehensive Back-to-School events and community-based education efforts, including the Lead Free in 1-2-3 campaign connecting residents to screenings, supplies and preventive services.

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Over the last year, the department has also offered continued implementation of Delco Revive! by increasing community training, lifesaving supply distribution, and overdose response capacity while also strengthening data-driven monitoring and outbreak response to guide prevention strategies and protect residents from communicable diseases; and also expanded the public health kiosks.

The department is also responsible for conducting inspections, investigations and regulatory enforcement to safeguard food safety, monitor environmental hazards, respond to complaints, and prevent vector-borne disease.

The annual report stated that 83% of the department’s $11.4 million budget came from federal and state funding and that the remainder for that time period was funded through American Rescue Plan Act revenues.

β€œAs we reflect on 2025, this report represents the dedication of our staff and partners who work every day to protect and promote the health of Delaware County residents,” county Health Director Lora Siegmann Werner said. β€œWe remain committed to building a resilient, equitable public health system for the future.”

The full Delaware County Health Department annual report can be viewed at https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/DCHD-2025-Annual-Report-Revised.pdf.

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