Sure seems that way in Weehawken.
"It is an absolute joy for them," said Isabel McGinley, a first grade teacher at Weehawken's Webster School. "They count down the days before Halloween. They start thinking about Halloween weeks in advance. It's not just a one-day event for them. It's really a big deal."
And it's more than just getting free candy. That's only a portion of the Halloween hysteria.
"Getting the right costume is a key," said Rachel Jackson, who has two school age children in Weehawken. "You can spend hours and hours just getting the right costume. It wasn't that way when I was a kid. You threw on some clothes and went out the door. Now, these kids want all the latest trends in costumes."
So to get everyone in the Halloween spirit, Webster School had a Halloween parade before classes began last Wednesday. The students were able to prance and dance through the school courtyard, so that their parents could take pictures and enjoy.
Then, thanks to the school's Parent-Teacher Participation Association, there was a special celebration inside the school's gymnasium when they entered the school.
There was Halloween music, like the "Monster Mash" and the Addams Family theme that the students sang, under the guidance of music teacher Piero Romano.
There was a Halloween show put on by some of the parents and friends, like professional performers Charles Walters and Veronica Perez, which certainly entertained the youngsters. The local Girl Scout Troop read Halloween stories to the little ones.
"It was really fun for us to see the children dressed up and getting excited," Webster School Principal Anthony Colasurdo said.
The teachers also dressed in costumes. McGinley was dressed as a clown, complete with giant shoes and red nose.
"Some of the parents didn't even recognize me," McGinley said. "I think everyone had a lot of fun. I know the kids had a great time. We can't just let them eat candy all day. There had to be something more."
Colasurdo had plans to dress like a convict, complete with striped shirt and pants, but the costume he purchased didn't fit. So he just threw on a wig and pretended to be Bob Marley.
"Incredibly, at least three of the kids knew who Bob Marley was," Colasurdo said. "I was impressed."
All of the children received their own pumpkin, courtesy of Shop-Rite in the Columbia Park shopping center in North Bergen, who donated more than 400 pumpkins for the children. An additional 15 decorated pumpkins were raffled off to the children.
Geraldine Mills, the president of the Webster PTPA, was happy to be able to coordinate the event.
"Halloween only comes once a year, so we have to make it special for the children," Mills said. "It's the start of their happy season, with Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas. We were absolutely excited to be able to put the program together. It's all about the children."
Mills credited the efforts of parent Jackie Moran for also helping to put the day together.
"There were monsters and super heroes," Colasurdo said. "The kids all had a great day being someone else in class."
"They were jumping up and down," McGinley said. "I really think they love showing off."
Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at either OGSMAR@aol.com or jhague@hudsonreporter.com
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