Posted by GodsWordWillSaveYou (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, the square gets so unorganized and crowded that you have to just stand there for hrs to get the kids candy. It really isn't any fun. We just left last year and found a couple houses to do door to door trick or treating. My kids loved that. I think doing the square thing one night and the door to door another night is a great idea. We will not be going to the square this year. It is such a headache and the kids don't have alot of fun.

Posted by BamaRose61 (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I doubt we will be going back to the square cause for what little bit of candy you get and having to have a 6 year old to stand in line and creep along at slower than turtle speed is to big of a hassle, not to mention she did not enjoy it very much last year. Also I think is is very silly for grown men to be dressing up (as fairies in pink no less) and running around getting candy. It has gotten too out of hand cause trick or treating is for kids, not adults. It is o.k. if you want to dress up and go up and hang around but leave the trick or treating part to the kids.

Posted by outlaw11 (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I remember as a child, we went door-to-door in "our" neighborhood and all was well until parents started car-pooling all over town and the treats ran out but the tricks continued until about mid-nite. That is why this 'square' thing came to be, but, it might be time to revert back, so, parents, just keep in mind, some of us are older and some of us are disabled, so, if our porch lite is off, then we won't come to the door. Thanks...

Posted by justme39 (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree 100%. The square was a good thing the first year or two but it's too crowded and conjested now. The square is NOT Halloween for the kids at all. I too miss good old fashion Halloween and wish it was back the way it was intended to be. The excitement of kids picking out their costumes, going door to door, hearing them yell trick or treat, that's what it's all about. (Yes only the houses with the porch light on).The parents can check the candy and be watchful over the kids like mine did me and my brother and sister when we were young. Lets have Halloween for a change this year!!Let the kids enjoy!!!And for the people who love giving out candy , get some candy and turn your porch lights on, you might just have a ghost or two come knock on your door!!! Happy Halloween!!

Posted by bamafootball (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AMEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THE SQUARE THING MIGHT'VE BEEN GOOD WHEN IT STARTED, BUT GOOD LORD, WHAT A HASSLE IT HAS BECOME. BESIDES, THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE MAINLY FOR THE KIDS. KIDS ACTUALLY LIKE "TRICK-OR-TREATING" NOT STANDING IN LINE FOR HOURS AROUND THE DANG SQUARE, COME ON!!!! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GIVE THIS NIGHT BACK TO THE KIDS. NOT SURE WHAT IT WOULD BE BECAUSE I DON'T SEE THE CITY TAKING AWAY "HALLOWEEN ON THE SQUARE" AND DON'T SEE THEM (CITY) HAVING 2 NIGHTS SET ASIDE FOR HALLOWEEN EITHER, ONE FOR THE SQUARE AND THE OTHER FOR HOME T-O-T'S. BUT I WOULD BE ALL FOR IT IF IT DID HAPPEN.

Posted by realistic (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think you will see a decline in merchants participating in Halloween on the Square. It is no longer what it was intended. Andalusia is not New Orleans, and this is not meant to be Mardi Gras. Men wrapping themselves in bubble wrap without clothes on underneath has passed the limits of good taste. Parents with small children have to arrive before 5:00 so that the little ones are able to trick -or-treat because adults are lining up to receive the candy that is meant for the children. These same people often come thru your line several times during the night, with their plastic grocery bags already filled to the point that they are about to break. Yes, it started as a great community event, but has completely gotten out of hand, the city needs to set some limitations for the age of the trick-or-treaters. Everyone thought this would be a safer means for the kids to trick-or-treat, but it is no longer that way. The congestion has become to great for the safety of small children. There was even a fight or two that broke out last year, one of which my teenager witnessed, just because she was at the haunted house.
Many of the adults and some of the older teenagers are rude and will simply push past the children. The merchants spend money on this event and it was meant for the enjoyment of the local children. Please let's re-evaluate and see if we can come up with a solution to the problems that have arisen with Halloween on the Square.

Posted by bluesclues (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm taking my kids to Florala this year, not doing the town square thing, its way more hassle than fun.

Posted by justme39 (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well I don't see why the city wouldn't declare Halloween night the night to trick or treat door to door. I mean are they making money off of the square fiasco? I know the merchants spend alot of money buying candy, setting up booths and stuff. Does the city get something out of it?? Seems to me it costs the city to do it and if its done with tax payers money, then put that money toward something else that we need and let the kids have their night back of Halloween. If the people of Andalusia will just buy candy and give it out at home, alot of people won't go to the square. I don't care if they have it or not as long as my grandkids have some houses to go to. I sure won't be going to the square regardless. and the star news should post all these comments in the paper so the city and the citizens can see them that doesn't use computers. Let the public decide.

Posted by waterboy (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 1:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you Shirley! You hit the nail on the head!

I have attended ONE Halloween On The Square and that was several years ago and I will not go back. The intention is good, but there were no rules put in place to make it fun for the kids. I would much rather go door-to-door as well. I remember all too well how I (and a gang of kids) would roam the neighborhood trick or treating. So much fun and so many good memories....and people were just nicer back then too.

Attention Adults: stand aside and let the kids trick or treat on the square. That's why it was started. NOT for you. Go find a halloween party for adults and have fun.

Attention Merchants of the Square: DO NOT give candy to the adults and teenagers. If I were in your place, I would give candy only to those 12 yrs of age and under. Put a sign up at your display saying "Candy for 12 yrs and under ONLY."

Posted by live4today (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We, as a family of 8, have also atempted Halloween on the Square. After the first year, we gave up on the candy...lines too long...mostly teenagers and adults...some are not even in costume and get candy. It is my understanding that the city purchases the chocolate candy and gives it to the business that will participate...I may be wrong. Adults and teens in costumes out of our comfort zone. We tried coming back for the games offered to little kids and the CCB haunted house, but just getting to them is dangerous...too many rude people...fights...vulgar language...no fun at all. I have also heard that CCB will not be having their usual haunted house...offering something different this year.
Please, City of Andalusia, rethink the original plans, and return to the idea of a safe and fun evening On The Square. Make the candy just for the younger children..set up extra security to keep everyone safe...turn it back to an evening for the whole family to enjoy.

Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some of the adults referenced to in cosutme in previous years were not seeking candy. They dressed up as part of the fun for the little ones they were taking to get candy. So if you do see adults or teens dressed up don't assume all are trying to get candy intended for the children. Some go dressed "for" the little ones to make their night more fun.

Others, are there to get something for nothing. I heard complaints about that from the costumed ones that took their niece and nephew.

Just another point of view to consider.

BTW, if you see businesses giving candy to someone to old to get it, say something to the person handing the candy out. It may make them think when the next freeloading "adult" steps up with a hand out.

Posted by reluctant (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We went to the first Halloween on the Square. It was fun to 'people watch' and the kids had a great time. We went back for a few years, but no more. Honestly, it has morphed into a nightmare. What kid wants to spend Halloween in a huge non-stop line? Not mine.

For the last 2 years, we have just taken our son to his grandmother's house, and the mall. He likes to plan his costume and dress up. I guess that it is good that he doesn't know what he is missing. I wish that he could have the chance to enjoy 'old school' trick-or-treating. If people want to give out candy, turn on the porch light. If they don't, leave the light off. Only go to people that you know.

Some of my best Halloween memories are from handing out candy and enjoying the excitement in the faces of the kids. We don't even get to do that anymore. Unfortunately, my son is 8 this year, and doesn't have many years left to enjoy Halloween as a kid.

Posted by andytransplant (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree that Trick or Treat on the square has become somewhat of a nightmare. The fun is lost when you have to stand in a never ending line with the bigger kids bumping the little ones as they run infront of them to grab the candy. I think the original concept was a good one, but it's grown too big for the kids to have a good time. It would be nice to get back to the door to door trick or treating that we remember as kids, however it's sad to say that in today's sick world, that's not really possible. I don't know what the solution is...but Trick or Treat on the square doesn't seem to be working anymore.

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Happy How-LO-ween!! Have a Good Time and Be Safe where ever you Trick or Treat. HUUUUUUUUU.....Booooooooo

Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would'nt be too concerned about the grown men walking around dressed as pink fairies and naked wrapped in saran wrap...it's probably just the mayor and city council getting out and meeting the people.

Posted by fredburpel (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 1:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This event was great the first year. Dwight and Duke do a great job planning the event, but when you put five to eight thousand people in that small of a area what can you expect. You can expect thugs and trouble makers breaking line and pushing the kids, which results in good parents defending their kids at a "fun" event. The city spends thousands of dollars each year on candy and overtime to control what they can,but it has grown beyond the square to host this event. The band is expensive and every police officer and half of other city workers are on overtime to cover the amount of people showing up from county wide and some from ajoining counties. I agree we are not New Orleans. (Thats another story) The city could plant more five thousand dollar flower beds and allow kids the door- to- door enjoyment. Just my .02