3 things ...... It was the most pleasant Halloween we've had in years. Almost all said " Trick or Treat " and we heard many " thank-you's " and many " Happy Halloweens " and "have a good night " from a whole spectrum of ages of kids. My wife and I were talking about it all evening long. We were impressed.
The township police were out with their lights flashing driving all around the streets ......... not because of trouble ........ but to hand out candy and talk with all the kids out trick-or-treating. Cool idea.
Gwm's comment above about kids liking scary houses. Kids of all ages love to go to houses with scary decorations, lights, jack-o-lanterns, spooky music playing, etc. I always did a big display when our boys were younger and people used to come from other areas to see and hear what we had going on. I used to wear a pale, horrible vampire rubber mask when I answered the door and the screams were non-stop !! ( I didn't put it on if little kids were at the door - no crying for me !! ). But the ones 9 - 10 and up loved the scary stuff. The one year I didn't put out all the spooky stuff ( I was up-state bowhunting ), and the kids who came to the door were bummed out. They said things like, " We love coming here every year and bringing our friends. Your house is really cool. Are you gonna do it again next year ?? " That kind of says it all. I enjoy making memories for kids to talk about into the future. Maybe spark them to do the same some day ??