Established 1826 — Oldest College Newspaper West of the Alleghenies

Halloween in Oxford: Pros and cons for parents

By Max Pikras, For The Miami Student

Halloween in a college town can be an exciting time for students and local residents to celebrate the festivities - just not necessarily together.

Sara Pate, a local mother of three, said residents of Oxford tend to trick or treat away from Miami's campus during Oxford's designated trick-or-treating hours. However, they will participate in Halloween-themed events in Uptown Oxford and on Miami's campus.

"The Uptown events and the actual trick-or-treating are pretty separate," Pate said. "Parents and children come to Uptown for the Halloween events, and then tend to stay in their own subdivisions for trick-or-treating."

Pate said there are many events Uptown and on campus during Halloween, including the Oxford Parks and Recreation (OPRD) Halloween Event, touring a haunted house in the Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC) and trick-or-treating in Roudebush Hall and Armstrong Student Center.

The OPRD Halloween events included local businesses passing out candy to children, activities and games and a dog costume parade throughout Uptown. In addition to the haunted house tour, OCAC provided activities, music, pumpkin carving and performances from Miami organizations, including improvisation group Sketched Out.

Jason Shaiman, a local father, said even if parents do trick or treat through student neighborhoods and at party houses, they typically wait until their children are older.

"Many families may not want to expose toddlers and preschoolers to the raunchy, loud and littered environment of party houses," said Shaiman.

Pate agreed with Shaiman.

"I don't think parents would bring younger children to trick or treat through student housing areas," Pate said.

Shaiman pointed out that Halloween - and Oxford's Trick or Treat from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - falls on a Saturday this year, which is usually rowdy night Uptown.

"Since Halloween is on a Saturday this year, one of the biggest party nights of the week, many families may be further discouraged to trick or treat in densely-populated student neighborhoods," Shaiman said.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

Shaiman reiterated that parents may not want to associate with student parties and social culture, and may choose to stick with the organized events Uptown and at Miami instead.

Senior Grace McKittrick said it is disappointing when students are unable or choose to not be a part of Halloween events in Oxford.

"I think it's sad that students don't care to participate in a community event, like trick-or-treating, or that parents don't let the students participate, because it slows the students' transition into becoming full members of the community of Oxford," she said.

Pate said she believes parents will still trick or treat through student neighborhoods, as long as the students are willing to participate.

"I believe the parents follow the porch light system," Pate said. "If the houses don't have a porch light on, many parents will just pass them."