That’s the question the South Milwaukee City Council will debate again on Tuesday night.
We have this discussion every year, and you’ll recall that in 2012 we approved changing city-endorsed trick-or-treating hours to Halloween evening — in that case, a Wednesday night, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Not surprisingly, the change drew a lot of response. I found most feedback to be positive, and the (admittedly unscientific) poll I did on this showed clear support — 45 of 51 voters supported the change to Halloween. But support was certainly not unanimous, and I heard from those people loud and clear.
Check out comments here and here, and you can see my rationale for voting the way I did in that last link.
Based on what I would call a successful test last year, I intend to support Halloween trick-or-treating again this year, which would put it on a Thursday night.
But I’d like to know what you think, too. Am I wrong on this issue? What should we consider changing for trick-or-treating in 2013? Post your comments below!
South Milwaukee Blog 
Keep it at night for the fright and keep it on the 31st – Authenticity yes!
yes it should be at night my kids had a blast!!!!!
I *do* think you’re wrong. It’s a school night (yes, TOT on Sunday was too, but it was in the afternoon). My children only get to stay up late on special occasions and Halloween does not qualify. As a community we are supposed to foster and support healthy sleep and study habits, this contradicts that. We’ll be home doing homework or out doing extracurricular activities.
I was thrilled that SM changed TOT to evenings last year. The subdivision around my home has held an evening TOT for years. However we did always pick a Saturday evening which allowed it to become a huge event with tremendous participation.
Definitely leave it on Halloween evening. As a kid I only had the Sunday afternoons but the response that we saw from the kids and parents alike was overwhelming positive.
I would like it to be on Halloween night. I used to go trick or treating on school nights. We had it in Milwaukee from dark for a few hours. You could even start it at 5PM to 7PM. I think it is fun.
I’d like it on a different night. Sunday night would even be better than Halloween night. As I’ve stated before, it was too hard to work all day, provide kids time to get homework done, and get out the door by 5:30.
Don’t mess with Saturday night, though. We’ll be hanging out in the Blakewood neighborhood with our Blakewood friends.
Soooo much fun for my kids! We had such a great time. I too work full time and had to pre-plan a few things but it was well worth it! Time management is a beautiful thing!
It was great to celebrate it on Halloween night! The kids had so much fun and we did as well being parents and grandparents.
It was our first TOT in South Milwaukee and our first time night trick or treating. WE LOVED IT! It was difficult with a 1 1/2 year old but she slept so sound that night that all the walking and fresh air was worth it. I really hope it will be at night again this year. I really don’t think 730 is soooo horrible to be up trick or treating. You and your children are making memories and one night that they may not get to be right at 8 isn’t going to ruin their grades or hurt them 10 yrs from now!!!
Pingback: Looking Back At 2013: A Year In Blogging | South Milwaukee Blog