10.31.07
The Phantom Halloween
Happy Halloween! Sort of. I think. The weather certainly gave no indication today that the holiday was upon us and that November is right around the corner. Rather, it was a very balmy 68 degrees or more. In years past, I can remember going Trick or Treating in my grandparents’ neighborhood when there was more than half of a foot of snow. It would be freezing and extremely difficult to walk in the snow while clad in some scary costume. The blistery holiday would remind one of the upcoming Christmas season. Of course, it was probably hot and humid for the kids in their masks and face paint on this day.
But, I really wouldn’t know. The unwritten rules of society say that us bigger kids can’t go from door to door and ask for candy on Halloween. That’s perfectly fine. All of the chocolate and other sweets would keep me up way past my normal bedtime. What is more disturbing, however, is how my local community treats the holiday. The City of Pittsburgh set the Trick or Treat hours to be between 5:30PM and 7:30PM. This is, supposedly, a time set for all neighborhoods. But some neighborhoods, like my own, do not elect to follow the time set by the city. For many reasons, most of which are valid, the local community council has elected to have a party for the kids at a nearby school. Parents that sponsor the event go door-to-door and ask for donations for the party rather than sending the kids to our homes on Halloween night.
Among the reasons given by the parent that collected the money was that the party is safer for the kids. I am totally in agreement. The children can be chaperoned at the party, and the parents know from where the candy is originating. But why remove the spirit of the holiday? Parents should be vigilante and responsible. The kids should be allowed to Trick or Treat with parental supervision. This would limit the number of problems that could arise. There would be someone to monitor the goodies that the people in the neighborhood are passing out to the young ghouls. When I was younger, that’s what happened. My parents took me Trick or Treating, and I wasn’t allowed to eat any candy until it had all been inspected. A fair enough price to pay for oodles of goodies.
This policy represents another way in which children are not allowed to be children anymore. Let them enjoy the holiday and the tradition as others in the past have done. It is a fun time for both the kids and those of us who would love to see their costumes while attempting to frighten them in our own. Why must the fun be taken out of everything? We choose to adhere to all of the other city guidelines, so why not this one? We should not live in a world where the things that are bad and those who are evil prevent us from continuing on with the traditions of the past.
I’m sure this notion will be forgotten, and the party will go on again next year. But don’t worry. Before Halloween was far from over tonight, two Christmas commercials had already been shown. It’s just too early for Christmas. I haven’t finished celebrating Halloween yet.
