Amble down most residential streets this week and you’re sure to notice that signs of late October are manifest. Halloween is now–finally–here.
There are ad hoc Potter’s Fields, massive cobwebs, gigantic spiders, images of witches, vampires and zombies, and vestiges of ghosts, ghouls and goblins. Those going old school still carve up a mean, if goofy, pumpkin. And some homeowners throw in sound effects and lighting worthy of community theater. Alas, every now and then you see–or read accounts of–homeowners who confuse tasteless with attention-getting and abuse the holiday spirit. Turning you porch into a veritable drug cartel crime scene isn’t appropriate, let alone family friendly.
One year, in (Evansville) Indiana, I can recall being costumed like a masked scarecrow and lounging lifelessly out front in a rocking chair, surrounded by similarly garbed, authentic dummies. Somewhere along the way, when the porch had that critical mass of the unsuspecting, I would move. Barely perceptible at first. Then more obvious. With a voice alternating between the Wizard of Oz and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky, I wanted to startle, but not freak out. I was also after, I acknowledge, cheap laughs and would comment on the kids’ costumes and award an extra Snickers to the best on the porch.
Over the years, I’ve noticed some costume patterns. Princesses and pop-culture icons never go out of style, and Harry Potter and Spiderman have remained in vogue. But there are the envelope pushers and parental enablers. Here’s hoping, for example, that this Halloween doesn’t yield many–or any–twerking Miley Cyruses and uncostumed teens–and, no, a baseball cap, tank-top, shorts and a pillow case don’t count–looking for a low-maintenance, seasonal handout.
At that point, I start substituting candy corn for Snickers.