Fall Festival

It's October, which means it's time for Halloween in the Magic Kingdom, and nowhere is that more evident than on Main Street, U.S.A. Halloween decor has been a seasonal feature in the park for years, but things were taken up a notch in 2007 with the addition of the Main Street Fall Festival.

The citizens of Main Street, U.S.A. are hosting an autumn celebration, and the entire town has gotten into the act. Nearly every building is dressed in leaves, gourds, and orange and yellow bunting. In the Town Square, the results of a Scarecrow Decorating Contest are on display. Participants have found inspiration for their scarecrows in some of Main Street's most prominent residents. There are depictions of colorful characters like Mayor Weaver and Miss Hildegard Olivia Harding:

Some of the scarecrows are tributes to the town's (and America's) favorite pastime and the musician's of the Main Street Philharmonic:

Still others draw inspiration from the outfits worn by the town's chefs, candy makers and merchants. For those who truly appreciate detail, notice the sugar streaming out of a hole in the baker's sack and the tiny Mouse Ears on the doll held by the Emporium shopkeeper:

Apart from the scarecrows, pumpkin carving is all the rage this season. It seems everywhere you look, you find a smiling (or scowling) jack-o-lantern looking back at you. In some places, though, folks have gotten creative. At the firehouse, for example, pumpkins are carved with the faces and spots of Dalmatians:

A personal favorite (although one that hasn't reappeared in recent years) is this one directing visitors to the nearest public restrooms:

Business owners along Main Street have even taken to using the jack-o-lanterns to promote their establishments. Those on the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor display ice cream cones or "waffle" grins. Across the way at Casey's Corner, hot dogs and baseball are the carvings of choice:

Of course, the Halloween fun isn't limited solely to Main Street. Extra holiday touches can be found throughout the park, from the Central Plaza to Mickey's Toontown Fair.

And in Liberty Square, where the Haunted Mansion keeps the Halloween spirit alive all year long, Sleepy Hollow Refreshments steps things up with a unique holiday display featuring tributes to none other than Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman.