You're Doing it Wrong, Minot
I thought I knew how Halloween was done, but really I had no idea.
I thought trailer parks were the best place for candy. When I was a kid, we always hit at least two trailer parks because the po' folk give the BEST candy. If you wanted Bit 'o Honey or Jolly Ranchers, you went to the neighborhoods with the big houses. If you wanted Reese's cup, Snikers, and gum, you strolled down the streets lined with single-wide mobile homes.
I thought you had to knock on the door if you wanted the homeowner to acknowledge your existence. Before you go knocking, though, you better make sure the porch light is on. No porch light, no candy. Period.
I thought trick-or-treating was for kids. There were those questionable teen years when you're probably too old for trick-or-treating and had to balance the desire to be cool with the lure of candy. It was hard to claim to be cool if you were 13-years old and still going door-to-door. Any older than that? Forget it.
I was so wrong.
When we moved to this neighborhood, I knew we had found our kind of people. When Halloween night rolled around, I nearly wept with joy. As the clock struck 6:00, people poured out of their houses. In a matter of minutes, hundreds of costumed kids appeared out of nowhere, laughing and smiling as they walked house-to-house. The kids didn't have to check porch lights or even walk up the sidewalks, though. Nope. Instead, they walked up to adults in driveways who looked to be set up for a tailgating adventure at Heinz Field. I kid you not, there were costumed adults with tables and chairs, buckets and buckets of candy, and coolers filled with beverages in front of nearly every house.
It wasn't trick-or-treating. It was a BLOCK PARTY.
As the kids collected candy so elaborate and extensive that even *I* was impressed, some adults collected beverages. "Trick-or-beer!" they would exclaim. I had no idea this concept even existed, but the police officer set up at one street corner to keep an eye on the festivities clearly did. As he handed out candy to the kids, he remarked that our neighborhood is the best one around for celebrating a holiday.
I think I need a redo for the past thirty-two Halloweens. I thought I knew how to celebrate the holiday, but clearly I've been doing it all wrong.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Reader Comments (22)
Sounds like that neighborhood was meant for you all. Makes anticipating the Christmas decorations all that much better, no?
The "village" where we went is much like that. Adults dressed up, buckets of candy, offers of wine and beer, even one house that was grilling hot dogs and handing them out.
That sounds like my kind of Halloweening!
Congratulations... You're "home"!
Oh yeah, baby. That is the way it has always been done. Our neighbors set out the portable fire pits and it is party time. I was drinking mango margaritas!
Our 'hood does this every year too. Some of the people set up early and give out free hot dogs to the kids and Solo filled with goodness for the adults! I always keep beer and wine by the door and refill the adult cups as they come by. Trick or Treating - it's not just for kids anymore!!
I need to move to your neighborhood. We live out in the middle of nowhere so sadly, I would be trick-or-wining by myself.
My sister lives in VA and her neighborhood does it the same way. They love it, too! It sounds like the perfect fit for your holiday-loving self!
That sounds amazing! I need to live in a neighborhood like that.
This is exactly the same in my neighborhood. In fact where I USED to live in Portland, it was like your earlier version. Imagine my wonder and amazement to see a block party on EVERY friggin street here. Not only that, but those 2 hours allotted for the kids to trick or treat are way too long, because the kids come home with a GIANT cloth shopping bag over flowing! Now we await Santa driving by on the back of a Firetruck in Mid December, throwing out candy canes. LOVE my version of a Newberry Town. :) <3
So true that the poor neighborhoods gave out the best candy. LOL
That is awesome! A few of my neighbors seems to get that idea last year - setting up chairs in the driveway and sharing beverages across driveways...but far too few. I would love a neighborhood like that!
Living on an army post it is the same way. Well a least in the officer housing. Alot of enlisted soldiers drive their kids into our neighbor hood. I have never gone up their but I have heard thru the grape vine that the General gives out full sized candy bars.
My parents' neighborhood (across the street from us) hand out beers or wine to the adults, too. They all have so much fun.
Our neighborhood had a pre-trick-or-treating block party. The street was blocked off and there was pizza for everyone. There was probably beer, but as a nursing mom, I didn't even check. Next year!
I'm so glad you found such a great neighborhood. I can't wait to hear about Christmas!
Dude. I know. Our neighborhood was packed with kids and grown ups in costumes with tables at the end of their driveways, it was awesome! Puts the trailer park trick or treats TO SHAME. And they were pretty awesome.
Can I come live at your house?
Well...I need to come to your house to trick or beer...uhh...TREAT.
Someone needs to kick my neighbors in the ass. We're doing it ALL wrong. Damnit.
That is so awesome!!! Looks like you really found just the best place to live! So jealous! Only for the holiday aspect - my neighborhood is pretty awesome in itself :D Having great neighbors really does make life better, doesn't it?
Dang, sounds like a solid party. I wish that was how it was when I was growing up...
We overheard an older trick or treat kid say "The people with the most money give out the least candy." I wanted to take his candy.
I totally want to be your neighbor! It sounds like such a fun time! Our neighborhood had some ppl like that too, but the rain this yr kinda put a damper on things. There's always next yr....and I plan to use your neighborhood for an example for my house. I hope my neighbors will get into the block party spirit too.
That sound AWESOME!! As you know, we are just a bit into the holiday here. My neighborhood is great with the candy, and friendly people sitting in their driveways, blasting Halloween music, but we are among the few adults dressed up.
That is so many kinds of awesome. *is jealous*
Heh. Sounds like our neighborhood. One of the houses near the other end of the subdivision gets a bouncy house and has hot dogs and beer and soda. My guy thought I was kidding when I told him to plan extra driving time if he was coming over afterwards to help the girls sort candy. Took him 15 minutes just to turn into our neighborhood. It's a lovely, lovely madhouse. :)