The Cost Of Halloween

To the Editor:

This early October friends of ours from your lovely town came to stay with us for our annual three-day juried craft fair in Waterford, Va. The subject of Halloween came up. I think Halloween is a fun and very enjoyable holiday for children and adults. Our friends asked us questions about how many people come to Waterford for Halloween. The population of historic Waterford is around 280 persons. The number swells to several thousand on Halloween night.

 My husband thoroughly enjoys handing out candy to the children and I dress up in a costume as do many of my neighbors. In fact this year, my next door neighbor was Mr Peanut. Our streets are closed to traffic for two hours for the safety of the children.

Our Newtown friends asked about the cost of the candy. I told them that about 12 years ago the PTO of the elementary school started donating candy for Halloween since the cost to the residents of Waterford was not insufficient. Our Newtown friends said that they spend between $350 and $400 each year for candy.

I suggested to our Newtown friends that the local PTOs of Newtown could help out. Not only does our PTO help with the candy, but four to six houses in Waterford are decorated by the school children. The theme for each house is a book which certainly help to promote literacy.

The entire Halloween experience is enjoyed by all and the cost of the holiday is shared by those who come to Waterford to participate in the festivities.

Happy Halloween 2010.

Susan Williams

Waterford, Va.                                                        November 7, 2009