The Halloween tradition known as Trick or Treat (or Beggar’s Night) is among the most popular times of the year, especially with the young ghouls and goblins in the community who eagerly anticipate filling up giant bags of sweets. Part of that tradition, of course, is regional coordination of times for Trick or Treat, keeping in mind factors such as day of week, public safety and weather.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) has provided leadership to help coordinate Trick or Treat days and times in central Ohio communities. This helped each community establish a recognized date years in advance, particularly when Halloween has fallen on a weekend night.
A resolution, recommended by MORPC and adopted by many central Ohio communities, advises that when Halloween (Oct. 31) falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, Trick or Treat will be held on the Thursday evening prior to Oct. 31. Likewise, if Oct. 31 falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, Trick or Treat will be held the evening of Oct. 31. The time established for Trick or Treat is 6-8 p.m.
In order to help families plan far in advance, MORPC and participating communities recently discussed dates through 2019 (see graph below). Although many communities, including Westerville, agree with these guidelines, it’s important to know Trick or Treat is not an official, City-sponsored event. When weather conditions do not cooperate with plans, as has happened in the recent past, the City does not attempt to delay, postpone or otherwise recommend Trick or Treat be rescheduled without a major compelling reason such as severe weather warnings (heavy thunderstorms with lightning, hail, etc.) or a non-weather related community threat. A weather forecast of rain, cold weather or wind would not fall into this category. Parents and guardians are always encouraged to exercise their best judgment in determining whether or not weather conditions are safe and/or convenient for Trick or Treating.
For more information, visit the City website online at www.westerville.org/beggarsnight.
