They’re out there. Creatures of the night. The dead. The undead. They’re hiding in the dark — and sometimes hiding in plain sight — to get you.
Whether you’re on Boulevard East in Weehawken, 66th Street in West New York, or 48th Street in Union City, beware where you walk and where you stop, because, after all, you only live once…
West New York
Beware of the black widow and tarantula on the 100 block of 66th Street. But all the other inhabitants there look friendly enough: a green-faced witch with her pointed black cap and scarf with spider and bells or the jovial-looking pumpkin suspended in the air for all to see.
You could spend hours at 66th Street and Hudson Avenue and probably not talk in all the demons and the like there. There’s the werewolf in jeans and hiking boots, the faceless creature in a monk’s robe, and the grim reaper with a face from “Scream.” But if you get past those, you’ll have to contend with two rather large rats, waiting for someone to pounce on.
Union City
On the 100 block of 49th Street, it’s more of an inviting scene, with porch railings twirled with orange cobweb and a welcoming “Boo” on the door in orange and black lettering with a smiling pumpkin face. But don’t let the welcoming side of the city fool you …
Go just one street over, to the 200 block of 48th Street, and you’ll find a blood-spattered doorway, with black cat icons and a skull face and prints of skeletal bloody hands. If that’s not enough to send you packing, there’s an arachnid on patrol to do harm, as well as a cautionary note, the warning of a witch in the area who should be avoided.
Weehawken
On the 100 block of Highwood Avenue, you’re greeted by a maiden in black who’s seen better days. Covered by a dress and a shawl, she’s lost her femininity, right down to the bone. Beware the bat, the cobweb, and the eight black spiders!
At the intersection of Hudson Place and Boulevard East there’s a bevy of characters. If you get past the 19 witches, you’ll still have to deal with the two goblins and 19 skeletons, many with lanterns to better see you in the night. At a gravesite there, there’s a whole skeleton lying around in pieces. And there’s a partner there who’s not yet ceded to his early demise.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.