This Is Halloween, Or Is It?

Three out of ten Americans do not plan on celebrating Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. So why do they choose not to celebrate Halloween? Maybe they do not believe in the tradition of the holiday. Or maybe they do celebrate something—it is just not Halloween.

No matter the reason, the fact is that not all Americans celebrate the candy and costume-filled day. But that does not mean they have no cause for celebration.

For those Americans who may not believe in the tradition of Halloween, “Harvest Festivals” are one alternative to the celebration. Known to be a celebration of the land, harvest festivals have become a common theme of business and school celebrations. This year in Carmel the Barnyard will be holding a harvest festival benefiting HOPE services, which “assists individuals with developmental disabilities to live and participate in their communities.”

The festival will provide trick-or-treating, music, face painting and pony rides for children throughout the whole Barnyard Shopping Village on Sunday October 30 from 2-5 p.m. Both the YMCA and Boys and Girls club of Monterey County will also be holding their own harvest festivals in light of the holiday season. The Salinas YMCA on Clay Street will be the site of the annual festival that will include holiday crafts and a costume contest for K - 6th. The Seaside Boys and Girls Club will be the site of its first annual Harvest Festival. This event is free to the public and will provide trick-or-treating fun for all children.

For those Americans who feel as though Halloween should hold a deeper meaning than it does, “Jesus Ween,” also known as World Evangelist Day, is the faith-based alternative. According to the official website, Jesus Ween is “focused on helping people live better lives through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….We see October 31 as a day to expect a gift of salvation and re-think receiving Jesus.” To participate in this celebration is easier than most would think. Individuals can show their devotion simply by changing the “treats” they hand out to trick-or-treaters. Instead of handing out candy, they hand out pocket size bibles, Christian musical or teaching CDs (both new and personal), poems, etc. And instead of the common costumes, participants are supposed to wear white to symbolize their righteousness.

For those Americans who celebrate a holiday different from the traditional Halloween, the “Day of the Dead” (or Dia de los Muertos) is the Mexican tradition that celebrates those who have passed on. The celebration commences every first and second of November combining both All Saints´ Day and All Souls´ Day. The celebration is filled with decorative altars that are used as the holders of the offerings, which the family of the deceased find necessary for the afterlife journey that their family member is on. Personal offerings, pictures of the deceased and candles are also used to decorate the altar in order to light the path for the spirits. If you would like to be a part of this celebration of culture, Oldtown Salinas is the place to be on Wednesday, November 2. The Steinbeck Center [of Salinas] will host a family-friendly event from 5-8 p.m. Participants can join the walking procession at 5 p.m. from Hartnell College to the National Steinbeck Center for delicious food, drink, performances by the Yaocuauhtli Aztec Dancers and of course family.

Whatever your choice is of celebrating this fall season, know there is something out there for everyone.

For more information about that event visit the Steinbeck Center’s website.