Post by Morris on Oct 30, 2008 10:49:38 GMT -5
By Robin Stringer
Oct. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Rock star Bruce Springsteen won't put on his usual Halloween display for New Jersey's trick-or-treaters at his home because he fears its ``catastrophic success'' may inconvenience the neighbors.
The proceedings, usually involving characters in costume and decorations, draw ``too many visitors for the neighborhood to handle,'' Springsteen and his wife, Patti Scialfa, said on his Web site.
The singer said he canceled the display out of concern for the safety of families in the town of Rumson, about an hour by car south of New York City on the New Jersey shore.
Springsteen has been putting on the display for about 20 years, Rumson Mayor John E. Ekdahl said today by telephone. ``In the early years, it wasn't this elaborate stage, it was just that he gave the biggest candy bars,'' he said.
``It's probably within the last 10 years that it became elaborate to the point where it appears to me he had to hire someone from the outside to assist in creating this scene,'' the mayor said.
In recent years, as many as 1,000 children attended each show and a police officer had to direct traffic, Ekdahl said. ``When he was in town, Bruce would personally distribute some of the candy. He seemed to get a kick out of it.''
Chad B. Small, head of the Rumson Country Day School across the street from Springsteen's home, said the couple are ``wonderful neighbors.'' They would have made the decision based on what they thought was best for the families in the area, he said.
"All good things have to come to an end.''
Source: www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aQ18FSFPFw7s&refer=muse