As Halloween approaches, it’s time to focus on the Halloweens of the past, present and future. From trick-or-treating to watching movies, Halloween is full of traditions and activities that change and grow as one grows up.
Elementary school was the time when everyone would dress up. Costumes were a necessity, and trick-or-treating was commonplace. Many elementary schools that feed into WJ hold “Halloween parades,” which occur on the school day closest to Halloween. Halloween festivals are held as well, such as Ashburton’s, which is home to the “Haunted Hallway.”
“I went to Ashburton in elementary school, and every year, we’d have a little Halloween parade and walk around the school,” sophomore Kolton Sidhu said. “The parents would be there, and it was really cute, and then we’d have the little Halloween parties after and we’d all bring candy.”
Many students have memories of going on trips to Butler’s Orchard, getting pumpkins and making Jack-o’-lanterns. Some students and their families get super into decorating.
Halloween music and movies were also a huge part of this era of Halloween traditions. Songs such as “Monster Mash” are commonplace at Halloween festivities, and movie selections range from family classics such as “The Addams Family” to horror movies such as “Scream.”
“My current favorite [movies] are the Tim Burton movies, like ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ and ‘Corpse Bride,’” junior Sadie Steenberge said. “When I was younger, I watched Disney Channel specials.”
Over the years, dressing up and going trick-or-treating became way less prevalent. New traditions emerged, including the introduction of fun Halloween-related activities like Markoff’s Haunted Forest.
Now that we’re in high school, some traditions have endured. Although Halloween parties have taken the place of trick-or-treating for many, the Halloween spirit still remains. Senior Kristen Chen stays festive by carving pumpkins with her friends.
“My friends and I carve pumpkins together every year,” Chen said. “We make dinner together beforehand, so it’s bonding time, and then we carve pumpkins outside afterward. We’ve been friends since we were born, and it’s fun to do a yearly tradition with people that you’ve known for your entire life.”
