Over the last couple years, thanks to Trunk or Treat, I have had a work-related excuse to dress up for Halloween. Last year, I was Ted Lasso. When someone asked if I was Bjorn Borg, I was just as happy. Marty McFly was the year before — a repeat from an immediate post-college days party. My most memorable, though, is Spider-Man. Not only did I dress up in the same costume for three years in a row, my younger brother, David, managed to steal the show by also being Spider-Man as only your younger sibling can. Just four years younger with a cute lisp.
Main Street Monroe started Trunk or Treat in 2006 as a tie-in to Halloween. Halloween is quite a bit older though. The Celts, a group most commonly tied to Ireland, lived 2,000 years ago. They celebrated their new year on November 1st, which marked the end of summer, the harvest, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. This time of year has oftentimes been associated with death. The Celts believed that the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred. And so, the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. While the Celts did not view this necessarily as a positive, they did believe it made it easier to make predictions about the future. To commemorate, people gathered and dressed up, trying to tell each other’s fortunes. And turnips were carved, not pumpkins.
A bit more recently, in the mid-1800’s, Americans borrowing from European traditions — dressed up in costumes and going door to door asking for money and food while removing the frightening and supernatural. While it was largely missing from the colonies, it became common in Maryland and the South. About 100 years ago, Halloween became a secular and community-centered holiday.
Trick or treating was revived into the 1950’s, per The History Channel, after vandalism became a national issue as pranking was the focus of the holiday. Instead of costing millions of dollars’ worth of damage, Trick or treating is a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to participate in celebrating Halloween. The family aspect helps guarantee that any “tricks” stay relatively harmless.
Aside from (over)sharing that I’m still possibly not over sibling things, I have been struck by the fact that Trunk or Treat is celebrating the holiday like so many intended 100 years ago – in the heart of the community. And that is why this October, I want to write about how Trunk or Treat is helping keep a largely commercialized holiday, community centered. Much like everything, the event would not be possible without a wonderful group of volunteers. I want to personally thank everyone who started it in 2006, especially a few of whom are still involved, has brought a car during the years, donated candy, and has attended.
With that in mind, if you can join us this year, you will also likely be fascinated by the creative ways people — couples, families, independent tweens — dress up. Family costumes seem to be more popular than ever. Pop culture references from different decades acting as fun reminders. You are likely to see your neighbor, especially if you live in a part of the area where your neighbor is a mile or so away. And there will be candy. Lots and lots of candy.
— Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net. Complete details on Main Street Monroe and its efforts can be found at mainstreetmonroe.org.
