One weird weekend

Published 5:08 am Thursday, October 28, 2010

Every kid on my street knew where they were: the best houses for Halloween treats. Some people gave you apples or oranges … I guess they thought that would be better for us than candy (of course they were right). Some people gave out homemade stuff and that was OK … sorta. Most people dropped in penny candies, and that was better. But the real score, the golden ring we dreamed about for weeks before the big night, was full-sized candy bars, the kind you got at the store, and we knew where every house that gave them out was located.

We were ghosts, hobos, princesses, superheroes, pirates, cowboys and cowgirls and everything in between. Sometimes we’d swap out costume parts, creating strange new personas like superman with a pirate hat or princesses with six-shooters, and go back again. Most folks weren’t fooled, but we got a second candy bar anyway. Who could resist a hobo with a Superman cape? Cheating, I know but hey, we were kids on the hunt for the prize. The temptation was too great.

Once you couldn’t drag yourself or that heavy pillowcase around anymore, then and only then would you return home and count the loot, an important ritual not to be taken lightly. We’d set aside those most-prized full-sized mouth-watering candy bars to be savored slowly later. Then (I’m embarrassed to say now) we’d usually discard the apples and oranges and even some of the homemade stuff. Now it was time for the celebration – we’d gorge ourselves on the rest until that familiar Halloween candy queasy stomach growl set in and our teeth began decaying on turbo-charge.

Next morning, while we were still bouncing around the house on hyper setting from the sugar rush the night before, Mom, in a desperate act to protect her sanity, would try and hide some of the stash, but we always knew how to sniff it out and finish the job.

Back then, it was all about that yearly ritual of roaming the neighborhood, enormous pillowcase in hand, homemade costume, in the dark with friends, no parents, just us kids, seeking the score. It was sucrose nirvana.

Today, it’s not quite the same. Modern life and safety concerns have imposed on that singular ritual. Maybe it’s not better for the kids, but certainly better for the teeth. Much of Halloween is now a supervised event to keep children safe.

As compensation, however, over the years many Halloween events that I didn’t know as a kid have sprung up to satisfy that craving for having a scary good time. Kids, adults and families can still have a great time on Halloween even if the ritual candy gorge has been substantially reduced. So, without further reminiscing, here’s where you can get your modern Halloween treats this year:

A Adults

K Kids

F Family

ASTORIA/WARRENTON

A Live music at the Big O Saloon, 89523 Oregon Highway 202, Friday, Oct. 29. Halloween costume party with prizes, 7 p.m. Music by Miller’s Kind starts at 8. Miller’s Kind plays all kinds of music. (503) 325-8270.

A LightBox Photographic Gallery, 1045 Marine Drive, through Nov. 10th, Spooky Show II. A group show focusing on haunting and mysterious photographs in nature. This group show features entries from more than 45 photographers, many locally based. (503) 468-0238 or lightboxphotographic@charter.net

A Ma Barley, a local reggae band, will perform at Fort George Hellorium (The Lovell Building, 14th Street between Duane and Exchange streets) Saturday, Oct. 30. Doors open at 8 p.m., music from 9 to 11 p.m. $7 cover and costumes expected!

K Astoria downtown merchants invite you to bring your little ghouls and goblins to the Downtown Trick or Treat from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, for a safe trick-or-treating alternative on Halloween. The Daily Astorian will once again be set up at the Liberty Theater, 12th and Commercial streets, to take photos of the kids for the newspaper’s annual costume contest.

F The Astoria Parks and Community Services Department presents the Monster Bash, with free games and refreshments plus prizes for each child participating. 5 to 7 p.m. at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, 92937 Walluski Loop.

F The Clatsop County Historical Society, with sponsorship from Astoria Granite Works, is excited to present Talking Tombstones VII: Think Inside the Box, from 1 p.m. to dusk Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Ocean View Cemetery, 575 S.W. 18th St., Warrenton. Ten former citizens are expected to return from the great beyond for a graveside chat with any and all willing to visit their tombstones. This is a free event; however, donations are welcome. Plan to arrive no later than 3 p.m. as the deceased begin to fade from view as the darkness draws near.

ILWACO, WASH.

K Ilwaco Timberland Library presents Trick or Treat Book Give Away, Saturday, Oct. 30, for children. Visit the library in your Halloween costume. Library staff will take your picture, give you a treat and let you choose a book to keep for your own. Sponsored by the Friends of the Ilwaco and Ocean Park Timberland Libraries. (360) 642-3908.

SEASIDE

F On Halloween, downtown merchants provide goodies for trick-or-treaters. Inside the Carousel Mall, the costumed children (and adults, too) have their pictures taken with the “Great Pumpkin” by The Daily Astorian. All of the pictures are then displayed on www.seaside-sun.com

K Seaside Public Library, 1131 Broadway, in addition to storytime and crafts, will host a kids’ program offering face-painting, compliments of Cindy Pease. Ghouls and Buoys of all ages are welcome from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Call (503) 738-6742.

F Sunset Empire Parks and Recreation will hold a Fall Funfest and Sunset Thriller event starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center, 415 First Ave. There will be a Halloween Carnival, family games, face painting and goodies, even a Haunted House. Children must be at least 6 years old to attend, and parents are asked not to carry a child and are advised that this is a parental discretion event. Admission is $1 per person, with younger than 3 admitted at no charge.