Trick-or-treaters’ big day Oct. 31
Calendar helps communities set timesBy Evan Bevins, ebevins@mariettatimes.com
Fact Box
Trick or treat dates
Beverly - Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
New Matamoras - Friday, Oct. 30, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Belpre - Saturday, Oct. 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Lowell - Saturday, Oct. 31, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Lower Salem - Saturday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Marietta - Saturday, Oct. 31, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Williamstown - Saturday, Oct. 31, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Macksburg - To be determined.
Scary Stories
The Times' annual section of students' tales appears in the Oct. 27 edition.
It should be a little easier to remember when trick-or-treating is scheduled for local cities and villages this year.
Since Halloween 2009 is on a Saturday, most municipalities will actually let loose their little ghosts and goblins in search of treats on Oct. 31 this year. It's a change from 2008, when trick-or- treaters went forth on Oct. 25, 28, 30 and 31, depending on the town.
Williamstown Mayor Jean Ford said several local cities have been trying to coordinate trick-or-treat dates for a number of years and this year's calendar simplified the process.
Williamstown always schedules its trick-or-treating at the same time as Marietta to cut down on children going out on multiple nights, which Ford said can create a safety problem with youngsters venturing out after dark in unfamiliar territory. It also adds to the community feel of the night, she said.
"We just think it would be more enjoyable by each town if their own children are out trick-or-treating," Ford said. "I think the whole idea was everyone likes to treat their own children in their own town."
This year, Marietta, Williamstown, Belpre, Parkersburg, Vienna, Lowell and Lower Salem will hold trick or treat on Oct. 31.
Marietta's trick-or-treat night is designated by ordinance as the last Saturday of October. Other towns, like Lower Salem, determine their night on a yearly basis.
The lone holdouts this year are Beverly and New Matamoras.
Beverly Mayor Clem Biedenbach said the village always sets trick or treat for Oct. 30. However, that falls on a Friday night this year, when the Beverly-Waterford squad will be on duty for a high school football game.
"We always have them assist the trick-or-treaters," Biedenbach said.
So the date was moved up a day to Thursday, Oct. 29.
Trick or treat in New Matamoras will take place on Friday, Oct. 30, because there's a chicken dinner planned for the 31st, said James Addlesburger, assistant chief with the Grandview Volunteer Fire Department.
Addlesburger said the village used to always schedule trick or treat for Halloween itself, but with the traditional costume judging and raffle, activities went on a bit too late for a school night.
"By the time we get all that done, it's 9:30 or 10 o'clock," he said.
Macksburg has yet to schedule its trick-or-treat night, said Village Councilwoman Sally Frye.
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ArchAngel
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10-10-09 9:25 PM
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For those that think government meddling in Halloween Trick-or-Treat times is wrong...I disagree. I live in one of the most heavily hit areas in my town in relation to T-or-T'ers. We see dozens of them during the evening. And, (when the T/T times are staggered on the event) we also see cars full of children come blasting into the area and deployed like a SWAT team, then hustled into the car again and blaze to the next area available. All done while dozens of other children are wondering along the street in the dark, trying to do the same thing. I'm sorry, but I think most chilodren can walk their area neighborhoods in 1 1/2 hours and acquire enough candy to fullfil their sweet-tooth without canvassing half a county.
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armybrat
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10-06-09 7:48 AM
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I think trying to restrict the area where trick or treaters go is ridiculous. People have friends and relatives who live somewhere else and invite their friends/relatives to come go treating with them. All I would like to see is that the children have a fun time and a safe time, wherever they go door to door at.
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ilovemybaby
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10-06-09 12:03 AM
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I don't hear anyone complaining when I come thru spending my money for gasoline, or at restaurants, or shopping AND paying taxes in the same places who want to keep their trick or treat private. How many of those people come to the Sternwheeler, or homecoming in other cities around here? How many use MARIETTA memorial hospital? How hippocritical.
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ilovemybaby
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10-05-09 11:08 PM
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I think it's pretty selfish of people who want trick or treaters to only stay in their own communities and have all t-or-t on one night. What about those of us who have to work during that time? I suppose those kids just have to miss out? I think not. I'll take mine whenever I can.
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Asknoseknows
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10-05-09 2:33 PM
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Correction: Rats age restrictions! Can anyone tell me where lee Ho Fooks is ?, I need a big dish of beef chow mein! AHHH OOOOOOO! A concern I used to have with my small ones 6 and under depending on child, yes even with an older sibling, friend, or parent is dressing a small child in black like vampire and witch costumes is very difficult for even a slow moving motorist to see. I usually avoid an area anyway if I know it's trick or treat and wait an hour to run an errand if I have one. If they are dressed in black make sure there is plenty of reflective material. Of course check the candy if it appears wrappers have been tampered with, or discolored, or suspicious then toss it out. Take at least 1 umbrella in case your 2 or 3 blocks from your car and a cold fall rain with wind begins. No pumpkin to carve this year. Sigh.
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wildflower
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10-05-09 1:34 PM
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James Eddy yes Halloween is Oct 31,but when ball games and other things are going on in a small town. There is not enough officers to help. The sheriff does not have enough man power to be in every community in one night. The safety of the children far out weigh the date they go out. Christmas is Dec 25 do everyone open gifts and have party's that day, think not.
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Asknoseknows
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10-05-09 1:33 PM
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Rats!, Age reartictions or I would have just went as myself!
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armybrat
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10-05-09 1:27 PM
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Halloween trick and treating should only be one night and with set hours. I hope it is a happy evening for the children as they go door to door. Parents, please go with your children to make it a safe and happy halloween. I also think that an age restriction is necessary.
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scandalous
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10-05-09 11:49 AM
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@JamesEddy If you don't live in a village, town or city (aka an organized community) there would be no organization/government to be involved. I certainly don't want ghosts and goblins knocking on my door every day of the week before and/or after Halloween. I am pretty happy to have my locally elected government handle the administrative duty of choosing a day and time to organize the mayhem.
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DeputyDawg
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10-05-09 10:18 AM
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James: Government has to be involved some.. If they weren't you would have ghost and goblins knocking on your door at mid-night
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JamesEddy
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10-05-09 9:09 AM
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halloween is halloween people Oct 31 no matter what day it falls on this what happens when goverments get involved
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