This time last year, I was sure hoping to be writing about a successful post-pandemic Halloween, and unfortunately that is not the case.
We are still living in the midst of a pandemic, and I think we are better prepared and educated on what that means than we were last year.
Even with masks and vaccine passport in hand, I have been able to participate in many more Halloween activities that I was comfortable doing last year.
Firstly, as you read this on Sunday morning, know that my child will be glowing with excitement about trick-or-treating. That is something that I just wasn’t comfortable letting her participate in last year.
I know that many families did participate in the timeless activity, and in hindsight, I know it would have been fine. But living in these trying times, we all have to assess our own comfort level through it all.
Last year, I heard of many creative options for socially distanced trick or treating, such as homemade chutes and buckets and pulleys. I am interested to see if these innovative inventions will be brought out for another year.
Halloween is one of my favourite holidays, and not for the reasons you might think. I love Halloween because it’s a special day and season when community members, many strangers to us, make an effort to make it special for our children.
As a mom, I know I am fully responsible for making a birthday special, and Christmas is about family, as is Easter and Thanksgiving.
Halloween is the only holiday where we depend on the kindness of strangers to impress our children.
It’s due to my gratitude to others that each year, I seek for a way that I, too, can make a difference to families in our community.
Last year, we volunteered at a drive-through haunted house hosted by the Metchosin Fire Department, and we did this again this year, too. Wearing a mask and trying to spook families driving by is always good fun.
We have really embraced all the community events and attractions this year during Halloween season. We have bravely entered two haunted house in town, Carnevil at Galey Farms and the Monster Haunted House at the old University Heights Theatre. Both were fantastic.
This was the first time we went to these types of haunted houses. My daughter is growing up and now just old enough to walk past severed heads in the dark.
With all the things we have to be scared of in this world, it was refreshing to go somewhere looking to be scared in a safe, controlled environment. These haunted houses were works of art and offered an immersive experience that could only be felt in-person.
It’s yet another reminder to the kids that there are many joys that don’t happen staring at a screen.
These haunted houses and the many other Halloween attractions and events in town are a reminder of how the community comes together to create the Halloween experience we all know and love.
Whether you are carving pumpkins, handing out candy or dressing up in a costume, please know that I am so thankful for the Halloween spirit that brings joy, and a little safe fright, to our kids, and some adults, too.
charlahuber@outlook.com
