Emily Kalberer

Contributing Writer

The end of October has always packed the same spooky surprise: trick-or-treating.

This year, the East Stroudsburg Borough has made the decision to switch trick-or-treating from Thursday the 31, to Wednesday the 30.

This is being done to accommodate the East Stroudsburg South high school’s playoff football game on the 31.

The game is the first round of District Football, and it will be hosted at the Edward H. Christian Jr. Memorial Stadium in East Stroudsburg.

“Every year, 300 to 400 children trick-or-treat along the roadways to and from the East Stroudsburg High School football field,” East Stroudsburg Borough Manager Kelly Lewis posted on Facebook.

Lewis wrote, “For public safety reasons and so our East Stroudsburg families can celebrate Halloween and Cavalier football in the same week, Halloween trick-or-treat in East Stroudsburg will be on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.”

The Facebook post has been met with backlash, garnering 116 shares, 26 comments and 17 reactions, the majority of which being angry faces.

“I’m upset to see them moving the tradition of Halloween trick-or-treating on the 31 to the 30 just for a football game,” East Stroudsburg Borough resident Brianna Cortes stated.

“My seven year old daughter has and wants nothing to do with football, Halloween’s her favorite holiday and she looks forward to it every year. To have this change made is just disappointing,” said Cortes.

Cortes continued, “I think this makes for even more of a safety hazard because there are going to be children roaming the streets a night earlier than everyone expects them to be. There are some adults who don’t have kids and wouldn’t know anything about this change that’s been made. I just think it is a bad idea overall.”

While the parents of young children are displaying frustration at the change, the students at ESU have a different outlook on the modification.

“I didn’t even know they changed the day of trick-or-treating until just now. I was kind of always under the impression that there were going to be parties starting on Thursday and going through the weekend,” junior Kayla Gannotta said.

“Halloweekend is definitely the time for a lot of parties on college campuses, but I just look forward to getting dressed up more than anything,” Gannotta continued.

“I think the change from the 31 to the 30 just makes it better, because now my friends and I can go get free candy by going trick-or-treating on Wednesday and then go to a party and have fun on Thursday, and we’ll get to dress up twice. That is a major bonus,” the early childhood education major stated.

As the reactions from community members and ESU students differ, overall, it is important to remember the basic rules for safety on Halloween.

According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, make sure costumes fit properly to avoid fall hazards, set a specific route and stick to it, approach only houses that are familiar and well lit, stay on sidewalks if possible, avoid costume masks (as they can obstruct vision), and have a trusted adult check candy and treats before eating.