CLARE NORMOYLE
Special to The Leader
For some, Halloween can be their favorite day of the year. But in Fredonia, and the surrounding area of Dunkirk, things are a little different on the spooky holiday.
Each year, the town has allotted hours given where families can trick-or-treat. The hours are usually between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Within that time range, the kids are allowed to go and trick-or-treat. But once the clock strikes 7, they should head home and find other spooky Halloween activities to partake in.
For 12 years, Phi Mu Alpha fraternity has put on their annual event, Safe Halloween, with the assistance of Fredonia Volunteer Services. This event helps give a safe place for children to trick-or-treat, while still having fun. Between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., families come to Mason Hall dressed up and ready to trick-or-treat through the hallways, going from practice room to practice room.
“We wanted to give the campus an opportunity to participate in some sort of Halloween event so the idea of it was, the safety of the kids comes first because it is a college town, but we also wanted to give clubs a chance to volunteer and give back,” said the president of Phi Mu Alpha, Colin Bussing.
The clubs are given a plethora of candy to hand out and are granted the freedom to take over practice rooms and act as houses for the trick-or-treaters that come through.
The more clubs the merrier, as they help bring together the whole event. This year, Phi Mu Alpha allowed bands to perform during the event as well.
Although, Safe Halloween is just one of the many offered around Fredonia during the Halloween season. One of the biggest problems with giving the town a curfew is trying to find other activities to participate in, so children and their families can still feel the Halloween spirit.
“Usually we try to find some trunk-or-treats, or indoor activities, or go to a grandparent’s house or be with some family,” said Annette Utegg, a participating parent.
Having these other activities available for kids to take part in is a fun and helpful way to keep the spirit alive. The parents are grateful for this event and others put on for their children.
“The parents thank us for providing the event every year and they wish for us to do it again, and we always will,” said Phi Mu Alpha’s community chair and the coordinator of the event, Brendan Gordona.
Safe Halloween is an event that helps provide a positive spin on a restrictive holiday. The hard work that all groups put into bringing the event to life really pays off.