Swampscott Sees Fewer Trick-Or-Treaters After Postponement

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — When Swampscott became one of the only North Shore communities to postpone trick-or-treating on Halloween, a Channel 7 newscaster took the opportunity to make a joke that kids from neighboring towns could double dip on Thursday, the actual holiday, and Saturday, when Swampscott kids would be out. That prompted some Swampscott residents to stock up on candy on Friday and Saturday, only to see fewer trick-or-treaters than usual.

"Put a bowl of candy out for the first time in my life," one woman posted on a Facebook group for Swampscott. "It lasted over 2 hours. Epic Halloween fail hardly any kids out on our street."

Anecdotally, the rescheduled trick-or-treating meant anywhere from half to two-thirds fewer trick-or-treaters than usual, according to social media posts. In the end, fears that kids from Lynn, Marblehead and Salem would flood the streets of Swampscott were greatly exaggerated. At least one parent suggested that more Swampscott kids double-dipped by going to a neighboring town than the other way around.

"We got 2 days of t.o.t! My kids were beyond stoked!!" she wrote on the Facebook group.

Not everyone was thrilled with the move. Some social media posters said the police department's suggested trick-or-treating hours rang of authoritarianism. Others blamed local officials for the fewer trick-or-treaters and, by extension, the piles of leftover candy they found themselves stuck with Sunday morning.

But, even if Thursday's weather forecast was exaggerated, the move to a Saturday night had some parents asking for a permanent change to the Saturday closest to Oct. 31 in future years. Town officials also posted recommended hours of trick-or-treating from 4-7 p.m. The earlier-than-usual start time was also seen as a plus.

"Not going to lie: with more daylight hours to T oT was awesome," another parent wrote on a Swampscott Facebook group. "Kids could see. Cars could see. The weather was perfect, esp if you brought a coffee mug filled with the potable of your choice. I am all about that daytime TOt-ing life."