Newtown Ventures Out For Halloween…

By Steve Bigham

With the nation on high alert this week, many wondered what Halloween 2001 would be like. Would parents let their kids go out? Would anyone even show up? Would the real life spooks that now haunt Americans keep them from celebrating those that are make believe?

On Main Street in Newtown, the kids showed up by the hundreds; nationwide, the annual fright night went off without a hitch, although some places reported seeing fewer trick or treaters than usual.

“I don’t think the events of September 11 dampened the attitude or the kids going out,” noted Main Street resident Stephanie Gaston, who gave out some 800 pieces of candy. “They were out. I think it was a night where people put their fears behind them and came out as usual.”

Earlier this week, Rev Jesse Jackson suggested that America boycott Halloween to mark the September 11 attacks. He cited the anthrax outbreak and government warnings of another imminent attack as good reasons to give it a miss; instead of trick or treating people should spend the night with their families.

“In these circumstances, I’d say that we should cancel Halloween, take off the masks, stop the door-to-door visits, and spend the night with our families,” he said. “This year, the risks seem magnified and the spirit seems wrong.”

Main Street residents noticed an especially large number of parents out this year, many of them in costume.

“I think there were more parents supervising all age children,” noted Main Street resident Renee McManus. “It was another fun night. I think it was definitely business as usual if not more, and that’s a good thing to hear.”

This year’s costumes featured more than the usual number of firefighters, police, and superheroes. Of course, what would Halloween be without a large number of New York Yankees costumes and with the Bronx Bombers nearing a fourth consecutive title, the pinstripes were plentiful.

At the Newtown Police Station, Maryhelen McCarthy dressed as Raggedy Anne, giving out candy to children. The department has begun a new tradition, using the flashing lights from a cruiser to invite in trick or treaters and putting out cones on Main Street to slow traffic.

This year, once again, it was the kids who helped shine a little light in the darkness.