With Halloween just around the corner, the people in Milford are beginning to participate in their annual traditions to get in the season’s spirit. For many, Halloween is more than just pumpkins, costumes, treats, and scares, but it is also a time to bond with those who matter most.
According to The Origins of Halloween traditions like carving jack-o-lanterns, wearing costumes, trick or treating, and more have been around since the 18th century. Over time these traditions have evolved, but many still partake in them every year.
Consumer science teacher Ms. Rachel Pangu’s favorite part of Halloween is the celebration and decorating. She decorates with the usual pumpkins and gourds, but also decorates with inspiration from the Mexican holiday, Dia De Los Muertos. She does this by adding sugar skulls and an altar into her decor. Dia De Los Muertos is The Day of The Dead, so she also uses this tradition to celebrate her loved ones.
Pangu says, “I think Halloween in terms of a tradition, also makes me think of all the concepts of Dia De Los Muertos. You think about people that have passed, but it’s almost like Halloween and that [Dia de los Muertos] are a celebration. Like some people look at it as scary, the skulls and all of that, but I look at it as artwork and also the remembrance piece.”
She adds her own spin on traditions to create something unique to her and her family, which many others do as well. For example, sophomore Brooke Oliver’s family puts their own twist on carving pumpkins. They made the simple task more exciting by making it into a competition that they have continued for over 20 years.
Oliver says, “We have dinner then carve or decorate pumpkins. When we are done decorating we vote for the winner. The winner gets a trophy.”
Her family uses pumpkin carving as an experience to bond with each other and enjoy together. In Milford, various pumpkin carving events are held to help people prepare for the Halloween season. One is the Pumpkins on the Playground Event at the Boys and Girls Club. It is an event dedicated to getting people ready for Halloween.
In addition to Pumpkins on the Playground, Trunk or Treat is an event where kids can trick or treat out of decorated trunks. The cars can have different themes, and allow full creative ability to those who created trunks.
The majority of elementary schools in Milford set up Trunk or Treats for their students. This allows the students, other kids, and their families to bond. They get to show each other their costumes and it gets them ready for Halloween.
Ms. Rebecca Cohen, member of Orchard Hills Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) says,“ The second benefit is that the students and families get together, which helps to build a caring, active, school community.”
The most common symbol of Halloween are pumpkins. For decorations, carving, and more, pumpkins are the staple representation ofHalloween. Some buy their pumpkins at the store, but some make it a priority to pick them at a pumpkin patch.
In Milford, places to pick pumpkins are Filanowski Farms and Robert Treat Farm, but just a little further are Jones Family Farm in Shelton and Treat Farm in Orange. Sophomore Makayla Crespo goes pumpkin picking at Silverman’s Farm in Easton with her family every year. Although her favorite part of Halloween is the costumes and decorations, she also loves going to pick pumpkins.
Crespo says, “I find it very fun to spend time with my family while everyone is able to do it in our own way. We all can come up with our own ideas that we like to paint or carve.”
Halloween is more than just a holiday or celebration- it is a time for people to come together, bond, and have fun. The traditions it brings are unique from those of any other holiday. These local traditions fill our town with a liveliness that carries throughout the whole season.
