Halloween came early to Beverly on June 23 as families, friends and neighbors gathered at the Beverly Arts Center for Summerween, a community event that proved costumes and Halloween fun aren’t just for October.
The event drew a strong crowd, with attendees of all ages arriving in costume and ready to celebrate. Children ran through the courtyard dressed as superheroes, princesses and favorite characters while parents joined in the fun, creating a festive atmosphere that felt more like a neighborhood celebration than a typical summer afternoon.
While temperatures were more suited for beach days than trick-or-treating, that didn’t stop visitors from embracing the holiday spirit. Instead of crisp autumn air and falling leaves, guests enjoyed sunshine, laughter and the chance to show off their creativity months before Halloween.
The idea behind Summerween is simple: bring a little Halloween magic to the summer months. Judging by the turnout, the concept resonated with the Beverly community.
“Summerween was a really cool way to bring some of Halloween into the off-season and give the community a chance to maybe experience trying out a new costume with some beautiful summer weather,” said Matthew McKinney, artistic director of the Beverly Arts Center. “We hope to do this again next year with even more of the community involved.”
Many families used the event as an opportunity to spend time together, meet neighbors and enjoy something a little different. Costumes that would normally stay in the closet until October got a second season, and plenty of smiles, photos and memories were made along the way.