It’s no wonder that the winner of the Harbor Town (our neighborhood on the Mississippi River) Best Overall Halloween House is Irish. My neighbor two doors down has spent weeks preparing her yard for this celebration. Just as many of her relatives in Ireland are celebrating a national holiday, including fireworks and no school for the kids. It all started as a Celtic celebration. And yes, I’m aware of the pagan roots and traditions. And yes, our kids will tell you that we didn’t let them go trick-or-treating until the year we moved to Memphis—1988—due to our radical, conservative Christian views on the evil elements of the festival. My husband still isn’t a big fan, but I enjoy participating in the lighter aspects of the holiday.
Earlier this afternoon my doorbell rang. When I answered the door, I was greeted by a reporter and cameraman from WREG Channel 3. The reporter asked if she could interview me for the 6 p.m. news. The topic? “How are you preparing for Halloween in Harbor Town?” She mentioned that other neighbors had told her that as many as 800 kids have pounded the sidewalks in Harbor Town seeking treats. This is only our third year here, and last year I was still in a wheel chair, but I watched this throng moving up and down our street, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were that many.
During the 25 or so years that we lived in midtown, vanloads of kids were driven to our neighborhood from less safe parts of town so that they could have a safe and bountiful trick-or-treat experience. I’m sure this happens in many neighborhoods in cities all over the country. Fortunately we have security guards and police positioned at various spots around the neighborhood tonight to discourage “tricks,” and an official policy of only
giving out candy from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (or whenever your candy runs out!) I personally don’t give candy to teenagers who aren’t wearing costumes, my own personal version of “no shirt, no service.” And the cute little kids usually come during the first hour, so I should have plenty of candy for them.
After 7:30? We’re going to a grown-up Halloween Party… at the same house that won the decorating contest, of course! Those Irish people know how to partyJ Happy Halloween! Have fun and be safe!
Below are more pictures around the neighborhood….
