How to Celebrate Halloween in Small Towns in America

Years ago, in my hometown, our Halloween Celebration began with a Carnival, on the City Hall Property, where the only City Park was located.

Our parents participated in putting up food booths, which sold homemade candy, candied apples, cotton candy, pronto pups (Hot Dogs on sticks rolled in pancake batter, then fried—they were so good.) We also had cold and hot drinks, boiled peanuts and hot roasted nuts.

We had pony rides, and we could swing on the swings with our friends and watch the sun go down, or ride on what we called the “Merry-G-Round.”

We thought our park was great, but in reality it was a poor excuse for a City Park, but we cherished every minute we were allowed to play there with our friends.

Years later, someone added a “Haunted House” for additional fun for the children. See how children remember, it isn't always material things but the good times spent with their friends and family.

So, this made Halloween so much more to all the children, as we could have fun at the festival, and then go “Trick or Treat” with our friends, and chaperons. My mother enjoyed giving out candy to all the children who came to her door, and she would try and guess who they were in their costumes.

And what made it special was everyone knew their neighbors, and the children who lived in the country would come into town and go with the children who lived there.

This is before some churches preached against celebrating “Halloween”, but some of them still do celebrate; but they call it by different names.

Some churches have a celebration for their church with the children dressing up, and having food, games, and contest on the church property.

And other might label it as, “Autumn Church Celebration” or some towns have “Trail of Treats” which begins at an early hour with certain business having treats for the children who visit each store in their costumes, and receive treats, street are blocked off for the children and the parents safety. The children and parents love this and some towns do it every year.

Some towns have “Pumpkin Carving Contest” for children 12 years and under, costume contests, and clown to paint the children faces. And most of all the above has taken place on Halloween for security reasons, to protect the children, because we do not know all our neighbors, now. However, some still go from house to house in addition to everything else they attend.

Children need to have fun, especially now because of everything American is going through, they really need to feel connected with other children. Look at what we have gone through as a Nation, and all of our stress affects the children, whom we love and who are our future.

If religion is stopping you from letting your child celebrate like the other children---then celebrate with them your way. Go on an overnight camping trip and have S’mores, and tell scary stories—and let them dress up. Don’t make your children feel so different and out of place with the other children—use your brain—to make them happy.

Who knows---- you might start a new tradition--- in your neighborhood.

Of course this is just my own opinion and I like it.

(c) BEPH 2011

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