In a downward trend from the last two years, we came in at 139 trick-or-treaters this year. Many more older kids came by, many in that "hey, maybe you should have actually worn a costume" state.
The graph:
The 6:30 - 7:30 hour was the most productive, and once again 6:30 to 7:00 seems to be prime candy-grabbing time. Two Costco bags of candy were sufficient with about a quarter-bag left over, though instead of mini candy bars like we had last year, this year we handed out more of a "candy assortment" (many more small candies rather than fewer large candies). We ran a half-hour longer than we did last year due to the poor turnout of the first half-hour starting at 6:00.
Still, it was a pretty decent sized reduction in kids this year, and I think it may have been one or more of several factors at play:
- Average age of the neighborhood kids increases as time goes by - less locals seeking candy.
- This is the first year daylight saving time was changed for that energy bill - it's darker a little earlier until we switch over and that may have stopped the earlier/smaller kids from venturing out.
- Last year we had a projector showing an animated Halloween scene on our garage. I got home too late to put it out this year. Less decoration - less enticing to knock on the door.
I think next year I'll make it a point to put the projector out and see if that changes things. The average age of kids can't be helped, but the DST issue won't have changed.