It was a dark, cold, fun night

For as long as sisters Yalonda Carson and Barbara Brawley can remember, neither ever went trick or treating.

Their mother, Madge Carson, 85, always had a Halloween party at their little house on Short Street.

“We’ve been doing it ourselves a long time because so many children are always getting nabbed,” said Ma Madge, the name she acquired from her children. “I think it’s best to keep them home.”

Now her daughters are carrying on the tradition. Yalonda Carson travels every year from her job as a librarian in Atlanta to help her sister with the party.

Since she had a stroke a few years ago, Ma Madge likes to sit in the house where it is warm.

On Saturday night, with temperatures hovering in the 40s all evening, Ma Madge had the right idea.

Last year, Brawley said the family tradition attracted about 100 people. But Saturday, only about 20 people braved the blustery weather.

Even then, they had a great time scaring each other.

After running around dressed as Dracula, Harry Potter and a cast of other characters, the children settled down for hot dogs.

They roasted the weenies and dug into treat bags full of goodies.

“We are trying to cut down on candy this year,” Yalonda Carson said.

So, they gave the children things like yo-yos, apples, raisins and flashlights with little pumpkin faces on the end. But, they did get a little bit of candy.

The sisters borrowed a tent from Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home and decorated it with skeleton and pumpkin lights.

The bonfire also seemed to warm up the little partiers as well as scaring away any goblins.

“This is my first time,” said Doris Boyd. She brought a grandbaby and two great-grandbabies.

“It’s just so cold,” she said, adding that it was still fun.

With the bonfire roaring, everyone was able to cuddle up to it at one point or another.

Contact reporter Joanie Morris at 704-797-4264 or jmorris@salisburypost.com