Someone asked me tonight how the City determines when Trick-or-Treat occurs. Years ago, there was no consistency. Residents urged the Council to create some consistency. In 2009, the Common Council passed a resolution that provides:
When Halloween occurs on a Saturday or Sunday, the citywide time for Trick-or-Treat shall be on the day of Halloween from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. When Halloween occurs on a Friday, the citywide time for Trick-or-Treat shall be on the day of Halloween from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. In all other instances, the citywide Trick-or-Treat shall be on the Sunday preceding Halloween from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The preceding policy shall not be interpreted to preclude subdivisions, neighborhoods, streets, civic or business organizations and other groups from establishing other dates, times and guidelines for Trick-or-Treat. The City of Mequon’s Public Welfare Committee may alter the date and time of the citywide Trick-or-Treat in any year when other events conflict with the foregoing times or for other reasons.
The thought was:
- Except for Fridays, too many kids have after-school activities, and too many adults are not home on weekdays until after 6:00, so Monday through Thursday do not work.
- Sunday is the better default day because people are often gone on Saturdays.
- 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday is usually after the Packers game, plus that time range puts half the time in daylight for little kids and some time after dark for bigger kids.
The City should consider getting rid of Saturday Trick-or-Treat because some kids are precluded from participating due to the Sabbath.