Voices of October: Portraits of Modern Halloween

In late August or so in Flint, Michigan, many different Halloween tinged businesses, ideas and displays start popping up around town.

There are the different Halloween stores that invade previously empty buildings for a few months between late summer and the indoctrination of fall.

There are also a number of inspired haunts that seem to rise from nowhere to add an exciting flavor to the season, and many yard displays from Halloweenies all around the city.

It's not entirely clear why Halloween is such a big deal in cities like Flint, except for perhaps the escapism aspect of it all, and the fact that Halloween can be a relatively cheap holiday to take part in. "Voices of October" is an intimate, look at Halloween through striking photos and stirring prose that captures the spirit and magic of the season.

With additional photos by Freda Counelis, Magen Randol, Crystal Counelis.

BLACK AND WHITE VERSION with added photos and prose!