Tricky treats

Ghostly Gourds, Norman Rockwell

Gear up for trick or treating across the Hamptons
Varied dates boon for kids

By Amy Kane

The treats are sweet. The trick? Figuring out which night to go knocking.

New Hampshire towns have an odd tradition of setting the date and time for trick-or-treating and it may or may not be on Halloween. This year, North Hampton kids will haunt the streets on Tuesday, Oct. 30. In Hampton, it's Wednesday the 31st. What's a costumed kid to do with this spooky shape shifting of trick-or-treat dates? Exploit it, of course.

Sixth-graders Alex Ferber of North Hampton and Michaela Noyes of Hampton are good friends. On Oct. 30 they will beg candy in Alex's neighborhood. Next night, it's back in costume to roam the streets near Michaela's house. Double the fun — and the haul.

In Seabrook, trick-or-treating is Oct. 30 as always. Well, almost always. "One year we tried to change it and people complained," said Francine Eaton, office manager at the Seabrook Recreation Department. "It's always the night before Halloween. That's traditional."

But not if you live in Hampton. The tradition is the next night. "Trick or treat time was set years ago by a joint decision of the recreation director, Board of Selectmen and police chief," said René Boudreau, program coordinator for the Hampton Recreation Department.

Trick or treat in Hampton Falls is decided each year by the police chief and selectmen, said Police Lt. Tom Boynton. Eileen Baker, co-president of the Lincoln Akerman PTO, said the residents just roll with the changes.

"People seem OK with it. I haven't heard any complaints," she said. "On the other hand, when we trick or treat on Oct. 30, Halloween does seem a little anticlimactic after that."

North Hampton fourth-graders Ben Kotzen and Justin Ambrose have their costumes ready whichever night the candy is handy. Ben will be a goblin and Justin an "ice wolf ninja."

Justin will stick to his neighborhood, but Ben plans to take a trip to one of the hot candy streets in town, Pine Road.

"I think Halloween is the night you should go trick-or-treating, otherwise how can you tell it's Halloween?" Ben said.

Neither Ben nor Justin knew neighboring towns had trick-or-treating on different nights. When they heard some kids go to different towns on different nights, Justin said "That's a pretty good idea."

GO & DO

HAMPTON

Friday, Oct. 26: Trip to Coppal House Farm Corn Maze, Lee. Youth ages 10-14. Cost: $10 per person. Will depart from old town hall at 3:15 and return at 7:15 p.m. Call Hampton Rec. at 926-3932.

Tuesday, Oct. 30: Halloween Egg Hunt for grades 3-5. Hampton Academy, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 31: Halloween parade for grades K-2. Start at Hampton Academy, parade through town offices to Centre School for a celebration, 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 31: Trick-or-treat 5:30 to 8 p.m.

HAMPTON FALLS

Saturday, Oct. 27: Halloween party in Lincoln Akerman School gym, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sponsored by LAS PTO. Costume contest, pumpkin and cookie decorating, haunted house, games, prizes, optional donation goes toward charity.

Tuesday, Oct. 30: Trick or treat 5 to 7 p.m.

NORTH HAMPTON

Friday, Oct. 19: Annual Harvest Fest and Spaghetti Supper at North Hampton School featuring the Storybook Trail, 4:30 to 6 p.m., $2 donation. Spaghetti Supper $5 each, max $20 per family, 5 to 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 26: Trip to Coppal House Farm Corn Maze, Lee, for ages 10-14. Cost: $10 per person. Will depart from Hampton old town hall at 3:15 and return at 7:15 p.m. Call North Hampton Rec at 964-3170.

Tuesday, Oct. 30: Trick or treat 4 to 7 p.m. Grab bags, hot chocolate and hot apple cider at the fire station during trick or treat hours, sponsored by North Hampton Rec. and the firefighters.

SEABROOK

Friday, Oct. 26: Halloween party for residents Grade 4 and younger at Community Center, 31 Lafayette Road. Costume contest, pumpkin decorating, food at the Witch's Lair, carnival games, haunted house.

Tuesday, Oct. 30: Trick or treat 5 to 8 p.m.

Comments

[Janice Brown]

It is nice to see Hampton focusing on food, fun and family rather than the gorier aspects of Halloween. I've added a link to my blog's article about the season :)

Janice

[Amy]

Thanks for the link, Janice. The gore will be at the high school drama club's Haunted Hotel. This year's theme: Boarding School. I think somebody's doing a separate article about that. I like the fun better than the gore, I admit. Death and horror lose their allure with age and experience.

[Gerald]

Today's post on Hyde Daily Photo is Pumpkins Galore and I've included links to more than sixty pumpkin posts on blogs around the world including your own. Happy halloween to everyone.

[Gisela Bach]

I found your blog here: Hyde Daily Photo is Pumpkins Galore.
Halloween??
I love the children knocking on my door and admire their costumes..
Thank you for writing about my hometown Toronto..it is my City I care about..
Happy Halloween

[Amy]

Thanks for linking, Gerald and thanks for visiting, Gisela. We love Toronto!