Hallowe’en, the second most lucrative holiday in Canada after Christmas is in full swing today. Children across the country arrived at many schools dressed up as Batman and and Batgirl, Spiderman and scary cheerleaders, to name a few costumes.
Many workplaces accommodated employees who may be pirates or astronauts, just for today.
This evening, as night falls, the kids with parents in tow, will be ‘trick or treating’ going door to door collecting candies and other treats.
Motorists are warned to be careful as the bigger kids dart about on a quest to fill their pillowcases, collecting enough candy to keep them going until Christmas.
Costumes have become big business over the years. Now, with pop-up stores appearing for the two-week period leading up to October 31st, in most major municipalities, protests have grown as well, against mass-produced costumes that many people find offensive.
The so-called “Indian” costume, usually of the maiden or warrior variety, have become a source of major conflict with the growing awareness of Canada’s indigenous peoples, their diversity and sacred traditions that are part of what is being copied or mimicked.
Teal Pumpkins
In a spirit of greater inclusiveness, children with allergies are being accommodated by more people in what’s known as the Teal Pumpkin project. The teal coloured pumpkins on the lawn or in a doorway indicate that an alternative to candy is available to a child whose life might be in danger were they to eat one.
Treats for these children can run the gamut from novelty pens and pencils, to sparkly beads and booklets.
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