Please Note: There may be images and/or other information missing from this blog entry. I'm working to rectify the situation.

I can honestly say my days of lousy, last-minute Halloween parties are over. With the success of the 2002 Munster Mansion Masquerade Party, I'm fairly positive I know where I'm going to be in Octobers to come.

Held the Saturday before Halloween, the costume party was the first in what is planned to be an annual event. It was hosted by Charles and Sandra McKee, a Waxahachie couple who have undertaken the spectacular task of constructing a nearly exact replica of the mansion belonging to the sitcom family the Munsters.

Back in April, I paid a visit to the house to get an early peek for an upcoming Texas Twisted feature. As Sandra gave me a tour of the construction, she revealed her plans for a future party. She had contacted Butch Patrick, who played Eddie on the series, in the hope he would be interested in coming out to Texas. To Sandra's excitement, her wish was granted and the two began collaboration on an all-out Munster Halloween bash. To my own excitement, I was invited.

On the night of the event, I arrived past 7:00 having finished my costume just an hour before. Costumes were mandatory, and though I planned my outfit months in advance, I naturally waited till that week to begin assembly. I came dressed as a Mexican free-tail bat, complete with 9-foot wings and a sombrero. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to make the ears, so people kept mistaking me for Juan Valdez.

That didn't put a damper on my evening, though, as there was much to see. Although the mansion was still in its final phases of construction, the first floor had been decorated in appropriately macabre fashion and was open to visitors. Charles and Sandra, dressed as Herman and Lily respectively, mingled with guests between interviews. Butch, as I like to call him without his permission, was busy making sure everything went as planned while chatting and signing autographs.

Outside, the mansion was illuminated in an eerie green as episodes of The Munsters were projected onto its side. An ice sculpture melted slowly in the gazebo and a bonfire lit the way to the port-a-potties. Us and Them, a cover band from Houston, played fitting tunes as hundreds enjoyed the beer and food provided out back.

Batman was there, as were Jack of Jack in the Box, Darth Maul, Bonnie and Clyde, Death, and Elvis. (Death and Elvis didn't have much to say to each other.) Even rival family member Wednesday Addams dropped by for a soda.

Frank DeCaro, entertainment writer and movie critic for The Daily Show With John Stewart, was also in attendance. He was there preparing an article for The New York Times.

No guest at the party was so celebrated, though, as the one and only Grandpa Munster himself. Al Lewis, famous for his portrayal of the lovable vampire on the series, arrived in a white limousine and dressed in character. As he emerged into the night, cameras flashed and partygoers chanted the name by which they knew him best.

As Lewis toured the mansion, he shared the emotions the visit evoked for him. "It brings back memories — wonderful memories," he said. Commenting on what a great job the McKees had done recreating his television residence, he added, "I am at 1313 Mockingbird Lane." The McKees were delighted.

As Lewis signed autographs for a continuous stream of fans, drizzle began to fall outside. The weather that everyone hoped wouldn't arrive, did, and forced the band to pack up early. The guests seemed unaffected. Some ducked under tents, others got wet. Everyone was having too good a time to let a little rain ruin the evening.

Unfortunately, I was unable to stick it out to the end. But, you can guarantee I'll be back for Halloween 2003. Butch is already planning next year's celebration and he promises it will be "bigger and better."