Editorial: How a changing tradition can still be celebrated

We all have our own traditions. Some traditions may be to go to a particular place on a specific day to a certain routine that we do for good luck. There are other traditions that revolve around certain holidays and spending time with relatives such as Thanksgiving dinner and football afterwards. However, as with most things, tradition often changes. For me, there is one change of a tradition that I think made a day better: Trick-or-Treating to Trunk-or-Treating.

Halloween has been festively known as a time where two things usually happen; costume parties for the adults and older generation and door-to-door collection of candy for the youth. In the years of my youth, parents drove from place-to-place and escorted children as they knocked on doors saying “trick or treat” while wearing costumes of their favorite character.

As time has passed, more factors have made trick-or-treating a thing that is fading away, especially in suburbs such as Charles City and New Kent. Trunk-or-Treating is becoming more and more popular every year. For those who don’t know what “Trunk or Treat” is, it’s basically the same thing as trick or treating with the exception of the kids gathering at one central location to receive candy and goodies. At the trunk or treats, additional activities are often available such as pumpkin carving and inflatables for kids to play in.

There have been a variety of theories of why “Trunk or Treats” have been developed. Some look at it as a safer way for kids to receive candy while others have cited religious reasons of having an alternative event. Still, Trunk or Treats continuing rise means that they are not going anywhere. Personally, I don’t think they should go anywhere. Trunk or Treats provide a safe haven for both parents and children to enjoy the festivities of Halloween in a location designated for all. Kids are still allowed to wear costumes and have the joys experience with receiving sweet treats. Adults can feel more secure with their surroundings without having to travel to an unfamiliar neighborhood and knock on a stranger’s door and expect them to provide candy. It is also cost efficient (saving gas) and time efficient as well, making the experience a win-win for everybody.

Yes, Halloween is still marked on the calendar and while it’s not an official holiday, it is still recognized. As the day is there, we understand that times today are more skeptical and nerve-wracking unfortunately. We shouldn’t let those factors divert us from having fun, and Trunk-or-Treating is an ideal way to experience Halloween without so many concerns. There are plenty around Charles City and New Kent so take time out and experience one for yourself and see how a tradition can evolve and still be represented in a respectable and fun way.