Halloween/Trick or Treat in Portland? (Gresham: big house, neighborhoods, buying)

[theadria]

I'm new to Portland, and I love Halloween! A few questions:
Since Halloween is on a Monday this year, will trick-or-treating still happen that evening? What time does it usually start? I'm decorating my house and hoping for lots of trick-or-treaters.
What are the best Halloween activities in Portland for adults?
Thanks!!

[Daisy32673]

It's mostly dependent on the weather and your neighborhood. There are some neighborhoods that really get into Halloween and get lots of trick or treaters and others like our that get maybe 4 or 5 knocks. If it's cold and rainy, especially if it's on a weeknight too, then there will be few trick or treaters. Most parents who do get the kids out are doing it right when it gets to be dusk/dark. Unfortunately each year it seems less and less people are into Halloween here in Portland and I don't know if it's the weather or what but it's nothing like it was when I was younger

[Minervah]

I live in the Buckman neighborhood off Hawthorne and I haven't had a trick or treater in five years or more. We used to have lots of them. I miss the kids in their costumes but I believe they are instead participating in organized activities at their schools or park districts.

I still buy a bag of candy though, just in case.

It may be different where you live.

[hamellr]

It seems to me that the downward trend in Trick or Treating in the Portland area started in the mid-80's when we had some issues with someone putting phonograph needles into candy. It got a couple of kids, but nothing too bad. Many of the hospitals the next year offered free X-Rays of Candy, but didn't actually find anything. After that shopping malls started offering Trick or Treating, which was then followed by areas like Downtown Gresham.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

The main drag in Eastmoreland used to be the go to place for going trick or treating in years past.
The nieghborhodd used to put on quite the show.
Decorated houses, etc...
The logic from the kids was big houses, rich owners = bigger and better candy.
I haven't been there in a few years but I am sure it's still going strong.

In the Woodstock neighborhood, I have usually about 20-30 kids at my door.
Mostly groups of little kids with parents.
After 8pm, it's dead.

[Skippy Weaselpants]

If Halloween falls on a weekday, like it does this year, we usually have kids start going around right after they get home from school. At least, that's how it is in my neighborhood. We have kind of an "unwritten rule" around here to go only to houses that have their porch light on. It's kind of a signal that they are home and have candy.

I gotta admit, I really resent older kids (i.e.: over 18) coming around to get candy. As far as I'm concerned, trick or treating is for little kids.

[Samoi137]

-We were in Portland at Halloween last year. Overall it seemed pretty quiet. Missed the pre-Halloween downtown zombie march by a week or two. Keep an eye out for it.
-Went to a corn maze outside of town. It was wet and muddy, and mainly for kids and teenagers, but still kind of entertaining. We did not get lost and call 911 (reference to news story this week).

Trick or treating seems to have gone down in popularity over the past few years across the country, due in part to safety concerns (including rumors about drugs or razors in food, etc.). I'd ask neighbors about likely turnout before buying a lot of treats. Anyone else out there old enough to remember the song "Monster Mash," by Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt Kickers? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0thH3qnHTbI

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Samoi137

-We were in Portland at Halloween last year. Overall it seemed pretty quiet. Missed the pre-Halloween downtown zombie march by a week or two. Keep an eye out for it.
-Went to a corn maze outside of town. It was wet and muddy, and mainly for kids and teenagers, but still kind of entertaining. We did not get lost and call 911 (reference to news story this week).

Trick or treating seems to have gone down in popularity over the past few years across the country, due in part to safety concerns (including rumors about drugs or razors in food, etc.). I'd ask neighbors about likely turnout before buying a lot of treats. Anyone else out there old enough to remember the song "Monster Mash," by Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt Kickers?
bobby 'boris' pickett & the cryptkickers - monster mash - YouTube

Oh yes indeed! Monster Mash!

After the razor scare and I think it all wound up to be just rumours, parents were advised to only accept wrapped candy. That made sense but I remember when I was a kid back in the dinosaur age, people actually gave us apples and homemade popcorn balls and sometimes even homemade backed goods like fudge or cookies.

No one ever even thought about sabotaging our Halloween candy.

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by theadria

What are the best Halloween activities in Portland for adults?
Thanks!!

The Corn Maze on Sauvie's Island.
Boo Ball
Here's a list of events.
Good list of Pumpkin Patches, etc. here.

[Lunar Delta]

Almost non-existent.

Even back in Georgia, we almost never saw trick-or-treaters anymore. I think that part of Halloween is pretty much dead, or nearly so. Sad. When I was a kid it was always a big deal with awesome home-made costumes (thanks mom!) and long walks from house-to-house.