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Square event not too ‘scary’
Crowd estimated at 6K
Published Monday, November 2, 2009
Photo by Michele Gerlach
Jeff Puckett hands out candy to Mary Beth Alexander on the square Saturday night.
Organizers said Monday this year’s Halloween on the Square event was a success as an estimated crowd of more than 6,000 residents trick-or-treated their way around the Court Square on Saturday evening.
“It was a great evening for the children and their families, and everyone seemed to have abided by our guidelines,” said Duke Smith, who coordinates Halloween on the Square for the Andalusia Department of Leisure Services.
Smith warned residents last week the city might be forced to impose a height restriction for the event if teen and adult trick-or-treaters didn’t leave the festivities to the younger crowd.
“It seemed like the adults that were there were escorting the children and the teens were there just to enjoy the evening and the good music,” he said, speaking of the performance by Tuscaloosa’s Keith Williams and Second Nature, who entertained the crowed until 9 p.m.
Smith, who estimated the crowd between 6,500 to 7,000 people, said attendance appeared to be down this year but it was expected with the number of activities also scheduled for Saturday night. Opp and Red Level also held Halloween events, and the Kiwanis Covington County Fair was still taking place.
“Like I said, it was a great evening and everyone appeared to have enjoyed themselves,” he said. “Next year, we’ll continue to watch the adult problem. But I know that for the people who came, and the 33 merchants who handed out all that candy — all 500,000 pieces of it — it was a great evening.”
Comments
Posted by bama (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 6:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry to bust "Organizers: bubbles but it was awful! So slow in the line. Finally we got out of the line and just let my child jump in at all the tables. And to us that was more like trick or treating. Why doesn't Andalusia allow trick or treating at house? I've lived here 8 years and the square continues to suck. And so much for not letting older kids get candy. It really needs to be rethought.
Posted by bamafootball (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From one Bama fan to another, you are wasting your time, but go ahead and speak out about the waiting lines at the square. Last week, there were several comments on it, all were against it too. They just don't realize that people still like going door-to-door, but now, the "square" has it all messed up. My mom lives in town and she she said he didn't have the first trick-or-treater. PITIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by bluesclues (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to Thank all the nice people in the Country Club area, and on Snowden drive and other areas in Andalusia where I took my Children trick or treating, Alot of the houses in the country club had lights on and made it wonderful for the many familys that were also taking their kids there and avoiding the dreaded square . On Snowden drive the spooky house with freddy ( my kids love that every Halloween) is awesome. It was old fashion trick or treating, door to door, talking with the people, kids saying thank you. It was the best Halloween in a long time, We're never doing the square thing again, this year was "stress free"..:)
Posted by Jama (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I handed out candy at the square, and was happy to participate and meet so many nice families and see so many smiling faces, but I agree that the fun spirit of the tradition is lost for kids now. It's no fun for them to stand in a GIANT line for hours and then go home! It's all about the profit thought, and the city doesn't make as much money letting people hand out candy from their own homes or businesses.
Posted by Dogface (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess some people would gripe no matter what. The city does not prohibit trick or treating from house to house. It goes on all over town. You are badly misinformed on that issue. If you do not like the lines then do not go. It really is that simple. I will remind you these are merchants paying to do this. They do not have to participate. They are giving their time, energy and money to do this. It really is sad that people will complain about something that is free. I guess that is the world we live in now. Everyone feels they should get what they want how they want it and it should not cost them anything. Grow up! If it is such a bad thing then just do not participate in it. It reminds me of the thief gripping about being hanged with a new rope.
Posted by 2boys (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I work for one of the merchants on the square and was happy to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. In my opinion, the city did not make money off the event. Each merchant did pay a fee to the city, but this was for their candy, which was delivered by the city. I agree the lines were a bit long, but that's great! It means that the citizens are enjoying participating in the event.
For those who like to take their children door-to-door, I don't recall the city banning that. I like this type of trick-or-treating also, for my children, but it seems in recent years that the number of houses willing to participate has dwindled.
I, for one, am thankful for the time, energy, and volunteers that put the event together to offer our children a safe and happy Halloween!
Posted by princess7 (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, so I am new to these postings but I really wanted to comment to the other comments on here. Everyone has a right to their opinion and you are not wrong for feeling the way you do. However, I am not from here, I have only been here for a couple of years. Where I am from there was NOTHING like this. We did not have a fair, either. The town did not come together to try to have nice events for the children and residents of the town. I have been pleasantly surprised by Andalusia and the events that go on here. I totally agree with Dogface, you do not have to go! Like I said, I have never heard of anything like this anywhere else and it saddens me to hear people complain about it. The city does not have to do this. As far as the trick or treating goes, other cities are experiencing low turnouts of trick or treaters as well. I don't think that it is because of Halloween on the Square. Many churches have started having activities of their own as well. Unfortunately, there are too many people who want to harm children so lots of people are leery of taking their children to people's homes that are unfamiliar to them. All I am saying is that I think it is very nice of the city of Andalusia to put on something like this and I applaud them!!
Posted by AceLee (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, it's not "illegal", so much as "publicly discouraged", like anyone who's on paroll handing out candy will get jail time.
Posted by workingman (anonymous) on November 3, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK! Please allow me to open my big mouth and say a little bit.
I do so mis going from house to house with my chrildren and now grand chrildren. I am not fond of the square but, the little ones enjoyed them self and I enjoy them.
As far as Bama letting his/her child to cut line, this seems to be the norm for some one of whom would "Demand Respect" from every one, yet not give respect in return.
This is a great trate to bestoe into a young one.
Posted by Jama (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe some games or something would take away some of the "waiting in line" blues? I think that would be a good idea. A giant apple-bob or something! We used to do a "Fall Festival" years ago at PHS with apple bobs, cake walks, "candy fishing" and all sorts of other fun little things. I looked forward to it every year when I was in grammar school.
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