Published in the October 11 – October 24, 2017 Issue of Morgan Hill Life
Zombies search for candy, not brains, at last year’s Safe Night trick-or-treat event.
When witches go riding and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ‘tis near Halloween,” said an unknown author.
Apple cider, falling leaves, carved pumpkins, frightening yard displays, and bobbing for apples are just a few of the symbols that signify the impending arrival of All Hallows’ Eve.
This holiday, celebrated today with costumes and candy, originated some 2,000 years ago with the Celtic Festival “Samhain” meant to acknowledge the day when the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest.
Over the years Halloween transitioned into a superstitious and religious based holiday commencing the fear of black cats, broken mirrors and spilled salt. It then again morphed into a community/neighborhood based celebration, an excuse for adults and children alike to come together in revelry.
Today, Americans spend roughly $6 billion dollars on Halloween-associated purchases, making it the second largest holiday celebrated in the United States.
With the holiday quickly approaching, details have been set in motion to prepare for Morgan Hill’s own Annual Safe Trick-or-Treat Event, a Halloween tradition for many local families and businesses.
The Morgan Hill Downtown Association and city of Morgan Hill will once again bring a Safe Trick-or-Treat experience to the heart of downtown from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31. Children younger than the age of 13 are encouraged to don their costumes, grasp their candy bags in hand, and visit the various decorated booths that will line Monterey Road from Main to Dunne avenues. Useugi Farms participates each year with their popular truckload display of mini pumpkins, while dental offices offer a piece of candy accompanied by a toothbrush.
Interactive booths also make an appearance with bean bag games, mini golfing and even baseball grand slams.
Don’t forget to snap a commemorative selfie in front of the Halloween Wall before you leave to ring doorbells in surrounding neighborhoods.
All Morgan Hill businesses, corporations, churches, and nonprofits are encouraged to participate by decorating a booth and passing out candy to costumed children. Historically the Safe Trick-or-Treat Event attracts 3,000 to 4,000 children and their families every year, the majority being residents of Morgan Hill and the immediate areas.
Don’t have any little ones that need to collect candy? Reserve a patio table at one of the gourmet downtown restaurants instead and prepare for an evening of dining and costume judging.
However you decide to participate, we promise you’ll have a ghoul time!
To register your business for a booth visit www.morganhilldowntown.org or contact [email protected].
Brittney Sherman is a board member for the Morgan Hill Downtown Association. She wrote this for Morgan Hill Life.
