State Rep. Tim Larson (D-East Hartford, South Windsor) wants to see Halloween designated as the last Saturday in October in Connecticut, he said in a press release issued Monday.
In the release, Larson said he has talked with parents of young children that say weeknight trick or treating, such as Monday this year, presents a variety of problems for candy-stuffed children who have to get up early for school and limits the ability of everyone to enjoy celebrating.
He also noted in the release that Saturday allows for kid-friendly daytime events and the youngest goblins can begin their candy trek a little earlier when visibility is better.
“Halloween is a fun night for the whole family, but not so much when you have to race home from work, get the kids ready for trick or treating, welcome the neighborhood children, and then try to get everyone to bed for an early school and work morning,” Larson said in the release. “Halloween has also become one of the top holidays for retailers selling candy, decorations, costumes and general party supplies. Jobs are created by this holiday, so let’s make it a little more fun and safe for everyone, and create some jobs too.”
With Halloween only a week away, Larson said he does not expect his Saturday proposal to come up during the upcoming special session of the legislature, but is hopeful the 2012 General Assembly will consider the idea.
“This would be good for the economy and make Halloween a more family-friendly event every year,” he said in the release. “Everyone looks forward to Halloween a little more when it falls on the weekend.”
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"NO leave the holiday's were they are suppose to be! Before you know it you will be trying to change Christmas!!!! You know, if it's on a school night or not kids aren't out that late gosh, if u are a parent and want your younger childr...en in by a certain time then that's your choice. U should be going around with a child until he or she is at least in 5th grade and they shouldn't be eatting candy while trick or treating until u check it, hello isn't that the way its always has been!"
All Souls UU Congregation, New London Children’s service at 6 pm • Adult service at 7:30pm A soup-er supper will be served at 6pm Samhain is the Pagan festival of Celtic origin that honors the harvest and the New Year. It is also a time for honoring our dearly departed. All of these themes are woven together for a lovely evening of reflection and celebration. Vespers is traditionally an evening service that is contemplative in nature. With a combination of story, poetry, and music we are able to glean the wisdom of the holiday while we allow the beauty of the service to have its way within our hearts and minds. Bring a photograph of your dearly departed so that we may create an altar together. An autumnal supper (soup & bread) will be served prior to the service at 6:00pm. The children and their families are welcome to join in after their service concludes.
As a teacher and a parent, the excitement around Halloween is evident in schools and homes. Teachers usually focus the school day around "fun activities" and education that day is minimal. The next day, after Halloween, the kids are tired from too much candy and not enough sleep and come to school toting tons of candy. So in a sense, another school day is complicated. I agree with the comments that legislating this seems extreme, Making the day after Halloween could be made a professional development day for teachers and the kids can at least sleep in and be ready for school the next day.
What if the parents just PARENT their kids. Be the adult , Holloween has worked like this for a few years now.
Government doesn’t have an income problem, it has a spending problem.
I myself am on the fence about it. It would probably be more enjoyable to have trick or treating on the Saturday before. But it's also fun to have that special night. And the 31st could be the "rain date", because having a washout on trick or treat night is such a disappointment!