City of Philadelphia - File #: 010624

• File #: 010624
• Version: 0
• Type: Privileged Resolution
• Status: ENACTED
• File created: 10/25/2001
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 10/25/2001
• Title: Commending Jay and Elsa Efran for Halloween productions that have captivated both the young and old alike for over thirty years.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Longstreth, Councilmember Ortiz, Councilmember Cohen, Councilmember Nutter, Councilmember Mariano, Councilmember Rizzo

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
10/25/2001	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
10/25/2001	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass
10/25/2001	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED

Title

Commending Jay and Elsa Efran for Halloween productions that have captivated both the young and old alike for over thirty years.

Body

WHEREAS, In 1968, Jay and Elsa Efran turned the hallway of their Rochester, New York home into a witch's cave for a Halloween party. The decorations were such a hit and attracted so much attention that the Efrans extended the length of time that they kept them up. By the next year, such fanfare over the decorations had been generated that, even without a party, people came by to see that year's display; and

WHEREAS, The tradition continued with the Efrans' move to Philadelphia in 1971. As the years passed, the productions became more elaborate and have now evolved into little vignettes with a cast, plot, magic and special effects. As the productions' popularity grew, a “preview night” on the ₃₀th of October was instituted to accommodate the productions' popularity among both trick-or-treaters and other visitors; and

WHEREAS, Last year's production, assisted by an energetic volunteer force that includes other family members and friends, surpassed others by managing to cram in more than ten effects, including appearances, disappearances, an opening wall and bursting flames for the enjoyment of a record 514 people; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby commend the Efrans for their efforts in orchestrating Halloween productions that has captivated both young and old for over thirty years. Council further recognizes that what once was a small event has now blossomed into one whose proportions have steadily outgrown Halloween night alone and is being passed on to a new generation of children whose parents experienced the same magic earlier in their lives.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Jay and Elsa Efran as further evidence of the sincere respect and deep admiration of this legislative body.

End