I was on a phone call to a friend who had moved from Acton to Park City, Utah, 30 years ago. My friend told me they had just been haunted by a Halloween Phantom in their neighborhood. The friend explained what it was and how it worked, so I got right on it to start the fun with our neighbors and friends on Windsor Ave.
Basically, it’s like Ding Dong Ditch — ringing the doorbell and running — but in this case the visitor leaves treats. Participants take the goodies from Phantom’s bag, replenish the bag with their own ghoulish delights, and pass it on to another neighbor. It is best done in the dark of night by ringing the neighbor’s doorbell and hiding so the Phantom’s identity remains secret. There have been times where the receiver tries to find out who their Phantom is by chasing them down the street. Such fun! There is a “You have been haunted” sign included in the Phantom’s kit to put on your front door so the Phantom knows not to haunt twice.
People try to haunt the families with small children first but the adults love to be included in the fun, often receiving a bottle of wine or cheese and crackers
When my Utah friend moved back to Acton a couple years after the Windsor Ave. Phantom started spooking, they started the process in the Patriots Hill Neighborhood. Since then, several other Acton neighborhoods have joined the fun. The original Phantom of Windsor Ave is proud that the fun continues every year. Families move out and move in and the Windsor neighbors are grateful for the residents who keep the tradition alive.
Donna Miller has been a West Acton resident for 33 years and enjoys all the town has to offer.
