Maybe everyone is hyped up on the political juice of the season. Maybe the stress of Hurricane Sandy caused people to crack. Maybe the ambiguity of the Mayan calendar is spurring people to obsessively weigh their life choices. Whatever the cause, our county leadership lost their minds over . . . Halloween Trick-or-Treating.
In all fairness, the brouhaha began to bubble because of the uncertainty of the storm. Before the hurricane hit, the mayors of the towns in our county decided to move Halloween to Friday. The County Commissioners and the newspaper were not made aware of this momentous decision, thus the headline on Wednesday proclaimed “Halloween Trick-or-Treating in Cecil County Tonight from 6 – 8 pm.” Hardly earthshaking news since Wednesday was October 31st.
But oh it was! The towns had said Friday! But the towns are in the county and the newspaper said it was tonight! Retractions and clarifications flew up on the newspaper and county websites with the final proclamation: “Bonus Holiday: Trick-or-Treating on two nights. Trick-or-Treating in the County on Wednesday and in the Towns on Friday.” This went up at 12:30 pm. On Wednesday. The day of Halloween.
And the collective response heard ’round the county was “Huh”? WTH? The TOTAL population in Cecil County is about 102,000. We are extremely rural and sprawling. You are hard pressed to really decide where the towns end and the countryside begins. The county seat is Elkton, but there are folks with an Elkton zip code who would be hard pressed to make it to town center in a half-days’ time by horse and buggy. Just go with it, we’re trying to paint a picture here.
But in the midst of the chaos, one woman stood up, worked her Facebook account like the town crier from a bygone era and proclaimed: “Halloween will be in MY neighborhood on October 31st! Who’s coming?”
This is that woman.
There was some further confusion on Facebook, but did Erin waiver? She did not. She took to the streets and made signs to post throughout the neighborhood. She fielded phone calls and sent out texts.
She bought a bonfire to go.
Who knew?
She raided the Hurricane supplies and she ordered pizza.
And the people came from all corners of the county heeding the call of this innovative woman.
Children were costumed.
Charlie Brown Ghost Costume. How awesome is this?
Props were tested.
Nerf Attack Team and Katniss on Fire
And the children set out to reclaim October 31st as the one and only true Halloween.
Charlie Brown, Super Chicken, and Gruesome
The bonfire was lit.
Relax. No pagan ceremonies took place. At least that is the story we agreed upon.
And fun was had by all.
So can one voice make a difference? Can one woman fight the establishment? We say, “Yes!” Except in Ellen’s neighborhood where they prefer their insurrections to be stealth. They’re trick-or-treating on Saturday, November 3rd.
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I am intrigued by the instant bonfire. Maybe I should get out more often.
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Erin finds the best stuff like that! Ellen
Dear Mother Hubbard, nicely expressed. It was a fun night. The kids had a blast and that’s what counts. Thanks for hosting.
Pat
Ps I don’t remember signing a release for my picture to be used. 🙂
Release was implied when you posed with the skull scepter. 😉 It was a very fun night, I agree! Ellen
Are we looking at a new add campaign for Dos Equis?
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Darn, we should have contacted them for a sponsored post. Ellen
You should be the official town crier.
And Halloween Official.
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And bonfire maker. Ellen
Even in times of trouble, actually especially in times of trouble, the world needs a champion. That champion is clearly Erin. Halloween thanks you for your commitment to make sure that mothers everywhere were not forced to eat their weight in Snickers! 😉
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She was really thinking of the mothers. Never mind that a kid found her secret Sour Patch Kid stash. Ellen
Even in MontCo Halloween was on Halloween. Way to go Erin for keeping everyone on track!
Instant bonfire? I need that! Great pictures! Great spirit! Glad trick or treating will happen tomorrow for Ellen’s crew!
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I vote ERIN for president!!! May you find your way through the muck of the election with your one voice and win everyone over through your perseverence to make Halloween HAPPEN! (on time) 🙂
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I know, right? Ellen
So very impressed with your determination and love the pics, as always. We are out of the trick or treating stage but are making notes for one-day grandkids! In the meantime, Im looking up the instant bonfire – that is who you should do a sponsored post for!!! Dos x has that interesting guy…..
Well done.
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Why have I never trick-or-treated with booze? Where have you been all my life? Again, please send me your local real estate listings. 😉
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Aww, Bridget, we would love to have you! Erin
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