On Facebook, a friend who lives in another town was describing how the various neighborhoods and towns in her area were regulating trick-or-treat. Some had declared it must be done on Friday night and within certain hours; others said Saturday and limited hours; still others Sunday within a specific time; and there were those who said anytime on Sunday was OK.
Now, growing up on Staten Island in the 1950s and '60s, we did trick-or-treating on Halloween--and only on Halloween--no matter what day of the week it fell on. In general, the younger kids went out in daytime, usually right after school, and stayed out until dinner time. Older kids (say, 10 and up) went out after dark and usually stopped between 9 and 10 PM. Some really little ones might be out at those hours, too, with an adult accompanying them (probably because the adult had to wait until they were home from work).
I really don't understand the municipal need to control this activity as if it were equivalent to businesses doing soliciting...or a parade taking over a thoroughfare. It's children in "fancy dress" entertaining the neighbors and being rewarded with a few little pieces of candy. It's a community acting in concert, without government oversight, to celebrate and have some harmless fun.
But apparently, we have some Grinches in this world who, not content in stealing Christmas, are now stealing Halloween as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment