“I was working in the lab late one night when my eyes beheld an eerie sight”

A blazing sunset welcomed about 20 petanquers to Civic Field, Friday, October 11, 2024.  The event?  Vampire Petanque aka The Fandango Festival and Ghoulish Petanque.   Inspired by Mari Dever and endorsed by Paul Dever and the rest of us enthusiasts, the vampire players gathered under the pavilion and set the table with hot cider and an assortment of goodies like Keogh’s yummy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

Some of the guys strung a couple or three courts with twinkle lights accompanied by lanterns and a spot light.  Mari brought a collection of lighted cochonnets that helped us see THEM in the midst of the darkening courts.  Others brought flashlights.

“The ghouls all came from their humble abodes, to get a jolt from my electrodes”

“For you the living, the Mash was meant too. When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you.”

Mari had encouraged people to bring headlamps and whatever else might pierce the darkness.  Some dressed in hats, veils, and glowing necklaces of various designs like candy corn and other Halloween-themed icons. Rich Majer was most scary with his face smudged with some kind of make-up … looking like a true ghoul.

From my laboratory in the Castle east, to the master pavilion where the vampires feast

Some were concerned with possible rain and then determined a little sprinkle wouldn’t bother ghoul boules!

About 7 p.m. the customary throw out started the evening’s play.  Two games of four and one game of five or six began the evening of trying to bash each other around in the dark.  Players had just enough light to make out the cochonnet, though not enough to see “donays” which would have been helpful.  As long as you could see the boule you wanted to shoot or the spot to land your point, it really did work.

Very spooky. Somehow Jan could make that shot, even in the dark.

It was just weird, like she knew where the cochonnet was, even though she COULD NOT SEE IT!

People were also busy taking pictures — first of the gorgeous sunset with the group chomping at the bit to begin play.  Others got great pix of a waxing gibbous moon playing tag with the cirrus clouds, portending great weather.

“The zombies were having fun. The party had just begun. The guests included Wolf Man, Dracula and his son”

Rich nicely summarized our evening: “Fantastic night for vampires and petanquers alike.”  What fun.  Such a team effort with shout outs to:

Mari – for getting the boules rolling

Nicole – cinematography and musical direction

Paul and Larry et al – electrical lighting crew

Mel – for having a very happy birthday

Rich’s wife, Donna – make up artist extraordinare

Countless others – for catering, support, and for being there to create the fun and to watch that amazing sunset as a fitting into to the vampire event.  WOW!

Photos by Brian Francis, Chris Hoyle, Mari Dever, Joan Poor, and Nicole Gaba

The scene was rocking, all were digging the sounds. Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds. The coffin bangers were about to arrive with their vocal group, The Crypt Kicker Five

They played the Monster Mash. It was a graveyard smash!

Lyrics from “Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett. 1962.