It's nearly that time of year again, where the ghosts, ghouls, fairies, monsters, zombies, pirates, witches and princesses all take to the streets and knock on their friendly neighbors doors saying "
Trick or Treat", in their seemingly never ending quest for candy.
If you didn't already guess, I'm referring to Halloween.
Halloween is one of the world's oldest days of celebration, which still exists in full swing in 2012 and is thought to have been adapted from the ancient European Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming spirits.
In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designed November 1st as a time to honour all saints and martyrs, which is now known as "All Saints Day" and incorporates some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening of "All Saints Day" was known as "All Hallows' Eve" and later Halloween.
Over time Halloween has evolved and been adapted into the western culture as a secular, community-based event characterised by child-friendly activities, the main one being Trick or Treating.
Although Halloween is traditionally celebrated in the fall, as the days grow shorter and the nights grow colder, it still doesn't mean that we, here in Australia don't have to miss out on all the fun.
ENTER IF YOU DARE!
If you have kids, who would love to go Trick or Treating and you live in or around the suburb of Duncraig, just north of Perth and you are looking for a safe and fun street that they can go to, then you can't go past the Halloween houses of Hayfield Way and those few in its surrounding streets.
These houses are only really worth checking out if you live close by and have kids or are just interested in seeing how everyone has dressed up their houses this year.
You will definitely know which houses to knock on, as the decorations are never too hard to spot, the inhabitants are friendly and the candy is mostly plentiful.
A spooky house on Hayfield Way - 2011
My 5 best tips for Trick or Treating are:
1. Always have a parent/guardian/responsible adult who you can trust to chaperone the kids, to make sure they are safe, polite, not too scared by some of the spookier decorations and not walking on the road/s!
2. Be prepared at least a day or two before, make sure the kids have selected their costumes and that they fit properly and they are equipped with a treat bag or bucket, torch and even some sort of reflective gear, depending on how dark it may get while you are out. Be imaginative, costumes don't absolutely have to be scary and making them yourselves can be fun too.
3. Bring the camera to get photos of the kids in action, exploring the dressed up front yards, but please
do not touch anything with out permission from the owners first.
4. If you like wearing costumes, don't be afraid to dress up too. Most of the houses will only give treats to the kids, but if dressing up is your thing, then why not?
5. Please remember Halloween isn't for everyone and if it isn't for you, then you don't need to partake in the day/evening. The residents who dress up their houses and offer sealed and safe candy to the trick or treating kids, do so, for the local children and even some young teens, who's families wish to celebrate this tradition, so the kids may have a safe and fun experience doing so and if there are some houses without the decorations then please respect their privacy and choice to not participate in the celebrations.
Ghostly Warnings - Halloween 2011
Hayfield Way Duncraig and it's surrounding Halloween Hot Spots will only be there on the evening of Wednesday the 31st of October 2012 and are located mainly within the streets surrounding the Glengarry Primary School and usually start anywhere between 3pm – 4:30pm and be sure to keep an eye out for Captain Cleanup's car, which is always fun to point out to the kids.
