Trick-or-Treating?

[TheChipmunks]

I know I asked this last year, but I still don't "get" the plan or what exactly we as parents are supposed to do on/about/for Halloween here in Shannondale.

I remain as confused as ever about WHICH DAY we take our kids trick-or-treating it, or IF we do at all. Can someone, anyone, please help me out? Who decides these things anyway?

It is amazing how stressful this is becoming!

Many thanks in advance!!!!

[LFE]

Can someone, anyone, please help me out? Who decides these things anyway?

Yes, I can try. You as a parent should decide what when and where your kids go, regardless of the event.
- Pick events that work best for you and your family. Consider some input into the decision from your kids. My 2.5 cents anyway.

[TheChipmunks]

I appreciate that.

What I was really asking is if there is an "official" day to trick-or-treat, or if anyone actually does that at all.

In the past few years, a few kids have shown up at my door on random evenings, so I know I am not the only one who is confused.

[KatherineA]

There is a Halloween event for kids at the MCC Sat afternoon - if that helps . . .

The BRWC will also be there to explain the rain garden and how to build rain barrels.

[Sceffi]

Shannondale always trick or treats on Halloween

[antzgal]

Blue Ridge Acres is Trick or Treating on Saturday the 28th. Party afterward at the clubhouse from what I understand.

[kkrapf]

I say Halloween night. We don't have a body to decide these things, so it should default to the holiday itself.

[LFE]

Default holidates... I like it!

[Tony]

There is no 'holiday' of 'Halloween', and never has been. This whole thing revolves around the strictly Christian feast day of "All Saints Day" which since 1956 has been pinned to November 1. Before that it moved around a lot depending on where you were.

So the only possible 'official' night of trick or treating this year is Wednesday evening 10/31/12. However, the roads on the mountain are so difficult to walk (no sidewalks!), and the population so (relatively) scarce, that you need to be aware of the huge differences, especially if you were raised in the post WW2 suburbs.

[Willis]

Usually, in the Shannondale subdivision and adjacent neighborhoods (e.g. River View Park & John Brown Ridge Section), the Shannondale Safety Patrol set the "official" day. They also provided some traffic control & accompanied larger groups of wee ones. Does any one know if they will be providing that service this year?

[LFE]

There is no 'holiday' of 'Halloween', and never has been.

Tell that to good folks at Hallmart...
Hallmark Corporate Information | Halloween

corporate.hallmark.com › ... › Holidays & Occasions
Fun Halloween facts and product news from Hallmark. ... 2012 Halloween Boutique Card; 2012 Halloween Cutes Card With Sound; 2012 Halloween ...

And beware the older "kids" looking for tricks or treats around your house.... no matter what made up holiday is near.

[TheChipmunks]

Thanks to everyone who tried to clarify this for me.

[Tony]

Thanks to everyone who tried to clarify this for me.

Heh. Sorry. I suppose this really is just Capitalism pushing the 'Holidays' earlier in the year hoping to get people to buy stuff. They seemed to sort of give up on Thanksgiving, but since there doesn't seem to be any commercial-izable 'holidays' until July 4 (only in the US), I don't see where they'll have much choice but to start pushing the turkeys again. Which thankfully will at least keep the kids off the streets. Temporarily anyway.

[plusone]

So did we determine the day and time? Is it tonight?

[Willis]

It seems we're kinda back to every area doing its own thing here on the Mountain. I've seen no concerted effort to coordinate house to house Trick or Treating other than what was announced on FaceBook in Blue Ridge Acres. It took place on the 27th. I'd say that the 31st would be a good bet in other areas on the Mountain unless someone knows different. Look for porch lights and decorations and for gosh sakes be sure to have adults accompanying children on the dark and treacherous roadways.
BOO!