As parents of three young children, we wish to express our appreciation and thanks to the families in the town common who have opened their doors to us on Halloween year after year. Like many neighborhoods in Harvard, our streets are narrow, dark and winding, resulting in a generally unsafe trick-or-treating environment. Our children are small and not easily seen at night.
We willingly contribute more than three children’s worth of candy as our small way of expressing thanks for a great night, with “trick or treat,” “please,” and “thank you” strictly enforced. We have no wish to impose upon the town Common residents and regret if they feel an overly burdensome obligation through thick and thin. If residents feel the need to voluntarily “opt-out” for whatever reason, we will respect those wishes and think that most everyone else would too.
Years ago when we were the trick-or-treating kids, we respected the unlit porches and pumpkins which indicated that the house in question was not participating in Halloween that year. With respect to the escalating size of the Halloween festivities, it is a balance between having a vibrant, desirable town center that people want to visit versus safety, security, and residents’ concerns.
As for institutionalizing the Halloween festivities with a committee akin to Fourth of July, we wonder if this would create a conflicting priority for Harvard’s excellent volunteer corps, which it appears, has its plate more than full with the current Fourth of July celebration. More food for thought to accompany our candy (which, unfortunately, we are eating if our children don’t). Thanks again for a wonderful display.
Robin and Peter Foley
West Bare Hill Road
