With the evening of the 31^st rapidly approaching, the age old question stands: Am I too old to get in costume and trick-or-treat?

There are a number of things to consider when gauging how old is too old for the annual festivity. Do the children ringing your doorbell look like children, or do they look like potential home invaders? Chances are, if you have facial hair and tower over the rest of your costumed friends, you probably should be the one handing out the candy (Unless you’re a parent!).

Does it look like they could use adult supervision or are almost adults themselves? It’s one thing to be a “mature” pre-teen that wants to walk ahead of Mom and Dad to look cool and another to have the ability to watch children younger than you on a daily basis. Age and size DO have the possibility to matter, and this needs to be something you think about when trying to join in on the fun.

Something to really think about; Do you have the spirit? Are you truly looking to acquire pillow cases loaded with candy or are you trying to egg/teepee your neighbors’ homes?

Along with these considerations, are the laws and regulations of your hometown. In areas of southeastern Virginia, trick-or-treating has been banned for children over twelve and curfews starting at 8 PM. Violations are a Class 4 Misdemeanor.

Officials and citizens of these areas around the nation claim this is for the safety of the kids, not to damper anyone’s spirit.

Contrary to rumors circulating at GCHS, Mayfield city officials confirmed that there is no regulation concerning the age limit or trick or treaters nor is this a special curfew for Halloween night. However the city the does have a nightly curfew of 11 PM.

Eric Ruhalter submitted an article to TODAY.com, giving three signs to gauge if your children are too old to trick or treat. Ruhalter writes “All good things must come to an end.”

And so as the evening approaches and your decision is still unclear, think to yourself, is this for holiday spirit or for the solution to your holiday inactivity?
Happy Halloween from the Eagles Eye staff!