Officialy time for trick or treating??

[ny biker]

According to a local news blogger, people here in Arlington are asking when the official date and time for trick or treating is, because elsewhere in the US local government or police designates when everyone will celebrate Halloween.

http://www.arlnow.com/2010/10/25/whe...-in-arlington/

What the what? Has anyone ever heard of this before? No matter where I've lived, it's always been October 31, late afternoon till whenever, depending on the age of the kids.

p.s. Hey, how'd that "y" get in there at the end of "Official" in my thread subject?? Must be the typo gremlins.

[jessmarimba]

Every year Halloween is on a Sunday I hear about religious groups protesting. I figure, I have my candy already, and I have no plans (unless anyone from TE wants a party in Denver? ) so whenever they show up, I'll be around.

[JennK13]

What?!?!!? I grew up in Southern California and this will be my 3rd year in Denver, so I can't comment on other parts of the country, but it's ALWAYS been on October 31st. There are several organizations that I know of that host trick or treating in their locations, like different malls, and our medical center does an open house for trick or treating the weekend before Halloween, but it's not a "regional" or law enforcement thing - just something nice they do usually for advertising and promoting.
My DH did mention a week or so ago that one of his friends had "Facebooked" asking when Halloween was, Saturday the 30th or Sunday the 31st - apparently some people think it should be an "official" holiday celebrated on a specific day so more fun can be had without work or school the next day, or they feel that celebrating such an event on Sunday (a church day) isn't appropriate.
I just think that is the craziest thing on the planet!!! It's not a "real" holiday; we don't change St. Patrick's Day when the 17th falls on a Sunday to accomodate heavy drinking!! And if you feel it's inappropriate on Sunday, it should be inappropriate on ANY day (unless the only reason is because it's the Sabbath - in which case children learn about sacrafice and 'rest' and skip a year, not change the date!).
I'm curious to see if anyone else posts where there is an actual law enforcement order that specifies when it is.

[JennK13]

I figure, I have my candy already, and I have no plans (unless anyone from TE wants a party in Denver? ) so whenever they show up, I'll be around.

Jess, we should have our own party!!

[jessmarimba]

I should have clarified. This is my first Halloween in Denver. Every year I've lived in the south and it's been on a Sunday, there have been protests.

[oxysback]

In my church (LDS) we do keep the Sabbath Day holy, so we will have a Harvest Festival with a chili feed on Saturday evening. It's a fun event and everyone decorates their trunks and the kids 'trunk-or-treat' so those that choose not to go out on Sunday (especially the little kids) still get to participate.

My daughter is a bit old for trick-or-treating, but we will still have candy for those that ring our doorbell.

As far as protesting goes...hey, if you choose to keep the Sabbath holy, you need to make some sacrifices. Halloween will occasionally be one of them. Get over it.

[limewave]

There's always an announcement in our local paper about Trick-Or-Treating times. And they always ask that neighborhoods limit traveling and driving on the roads during those designated times. Our city is doing it on Sunday but many of our neighboring cities are having theirs on Saturday.

Lucky us, we get to go both Saturday and Sunday!

[emily_in_nc]

I should have clarified. This is my first Halloween in Denver. Every year I've lived in the south and it's been on a Sunday, there have been protests.

I live in NC and this was a big story on the news tonight -- church groups wanting Halloween to be declared to be on Saturday for religious reasons. I personally couldn't care less as I am not religious, don't have children, and don't dress up. The only difference it makes to me is when I need to make sure to have candy in the apt. in case any ghouls or goblins show up! This is our first Oct. here, so I have no idea, but there are a few kids in our building so I gotta be prepared.

[Crankin]

Well, some towns in MA have designated trick or treating time, so people are aware of when the kids will be out and you can be ready. Sometimes, this happens if there are other events going on, but it has nothing to do with religion, as you all know, we are heathens here . There's usually some kind of special town celebration to go along with this.
I really don't like Halloween. When did this become a holiday that adults celebrate and go nuts over for a month? It's like another excuse to get drunk.
I would say I am getting old, but I remember feeling like this in my twenties and thirties... first I thought it was something particular to AZ, but no, it's the same here. It just didn't happen when I was a kid.
I enjoyed seeing the kids come to my door in our last neighborhood, where we lived on a cul de sac. But here, no one comes up the hill, let alone up our driveway. We moved into our house on November first five years ago, and spent the night of the 31st in the "haunted" room of the Colonial Inn. I didn't see any ghosts, though.

[GLC1968]

I remember as a kid (I believe it was when we lived in Wisconsin) that Trick or Treat was time intentionally limited one year. We were supposed to go between 3 pm and 6 pm that year (I think it was...) so that it was still light out. I remember being totally outraged as a junior high aged kid! They may have done that due to some recent kidnapping or something though.

And yes, in NC (particularly where we lived), everyone got into an uproar about trick or treating no matter what night it fell on. It's a heathen celebration for heaven's sake! Or going out on All Hallow's Eve is like worshiping the devil or something. I'm not religous, so I didn't really pay attention to the complaints. I just know that every year we were there, there were Fall Festivals or Harvest Celebrations at schools and churches so that kids could get their fun without really participating in the typical Halloween traditions.

We don't get kids at our house where we live now, so I don't pay attention. I bought candy last year just in case and I believe it's still in a drawer in our guestroom should any kids show up this year.

[sfa]

I've heard of it, but have never run into it personally. I don't get the argument that designating a date and time would let people know when to be careful of kids in the neighborhood. It's easier to remember: October 31, sunset--watch out for kids in costumes begging for candy. Much harder when you start moving the date around.

Sarah

[Irulan]

never heard of such of thing. Sure, there's parties at the malls, and don't run the kids over warnings...but mandated times? Pfft.

[Veronica]

Halloween began as a Celtic celebration. Basically it was a time to say, "We're really happy for our harvest. Please don't let us die over the winter." They sacrificed sheep and had bonfires. A lot of the rituals started as a way to foretell your future - particularly whom you would marry. The Romans came along and added in the apples for their goddess Pomona. Then along came the Christians and they really tried to get rid of Halloween, but obviously were unsuccessful.

The Christians like tying their holidays into already preexisting ones. I have always been somewhat amused that Christmas is around the Saturnalia, a lawless time in Rome when roles were reversed and people sang naked in the streets - early caroling.

Veronica

[tulip]

I grew up (mostly) in the south, and I've never heard of any protests because of Halloween, no matter what day it falls on. It's Halloween, let it be already! I can understand publicizing awareness because kids are out, for safety. A couple of years ago, I totally did up my house with fake cobwebs and stuff, and that was fun. Last year I was out of town. This year I'll be here, but I haven't planned on dressing up my house. Guess I'll have to get some candy ad put up my pumpkin lights, but that's it. Those fake cobwebs are too much trouble. There are lots of trick-or-treaters in my neighborhood.

[malkin]

Kind of an issue in Salt Lake City, although everyone knows where/when to go door to door or to parties.

I've never been clear on a rating scale of holiness/unholiness that renders trick'r'treating too unholy for Sunday night, but ok for some other night.