In anticipation of the annual neighborhood Halloween gathering, Mandy Melton, science teacher, and her three kids rush home from school. After a quick dinner, Melton ensures her kids have their jokes and songs ready for trick-or-treating to guarantee the candy they receive is well-deserved. As the family makes its way to the celebration, it’s official — Halloween has begun.
Melton lives in Tower Grove South with her family. She said the area is lots of fun for those who celebrate Halloween. Every year, the blocks surrounding Melton’s home shut down so families can make the most out of the holiday.
“We usually walk over there and meet some friends who live on the block,” Melton said. “[Then] we trick-or-treat on those blocks and on the way back home.”
Melton said the most special part of Halloween is when the neighborhood comes together to enjoy each other’s company. She said her family usually keeps a strict household, so she enjoys watching her kids let loose and have fun.
“Having fun, enjoying the night and letting kids be kids [makes it all really special].”
“[I love seeing] everyone out in a good mood, caring for each other and being kind to each other,” Melton said. “Having fun and enjoying the night and just letting kids be kids [makes it all really special].”Michael Pingel, math teacher, said he typically celebrates Halloween with his immediate family and close friends. He grew up in Jefferson County and still lives there now, which he said has made Halloween an enjoyable time of year for him and his family.
“When we trick-or-treat at our house, I always try to take the four-wheeler and drive [my brother’s kids] around the other neighborhoods,” Pingel said. “We’re the only neighborhood [in the area], so the kids like [driving around].”
Pingel said the most memorable part of Halloween is the time he has with his close family and friends. He said celebrating the holiday with them means a lot to all of them, especially because it’s getting more difficult to carve out that time to spend together.
“[Having] quality time with one another [makes Halloween special],” Pingel said. “We’re all getting older, so [we’re] always trying to find ways to get back together and Halloween is a great opportunity to do that in a spooky and goofy way.”
Emily Werner, math teacher, said her favorite traditions are also family-oriented. She said her kids always look forward to the neighborhood social events that take place throughout the Halloween season.
“[The weekend before or after] Halloween, my street has a party,” Werner said. “[Several] houses bring food to my neighbor’s garage and we hang out all night, which is really fun.”
Werner said she grew up trick-or-treating in her extended family’s neighborhoods because she lived on a busy street that had only three houses. She said although her kids are able to trick-or-treat in their own community, seeing them do something similar to what she did as a kid brings her a sense of nostalgia.
“Now, we trick-or-treat in our neighborhood or my sister’s neighborhood,” Werner said. “Trick-or-treating is definitely the main event [for us].”
“[Having] quality time with one another [makes Halloween really special.”
Werner said her family loves the community aspect of Halloween. She said her kids always have fun at the local get-together that take place during the holiday.
“[Of course], they’re always excited to walk around to houses and get free candy,” Werner said. “But they always ask when the street party is and love hanging out with neighbors and cousins [which is special to see] too.”
