CACHE COUNTY – If it seems like there’s fewer ghost, ghouls and goblins chanting “Trick or Treat” outside your door this Halloween, it’s not your memory failing you.
Even here in Utah, Halloween just ain’t what it used to be.
The popularity of alternative “Truck or Treat” events over door-to-door canvassing for goodies is growing here, especially with the parents of young children.
“Halloween holds a big place in American popular culture,” says Chip Lupo, an analyst for the personal finance company WalletHub.
“At the same time, it’s also a holiday that comes with a certain amount of risk, given that children visit strangers’ houses in the dark.”
So it’s little wonder that safe “Trunk or Treat” events have spread like wildfire in recent years.
Especially in the late 2010s and early 2020s, those events have grown in popularity due to their perceived safety, convenience and speed compared to traditional trick-or-treating. Organized by numerous local groups like churches, schools and community organizations, nowadays you’re likely to find a centralized event anywhere there’s a convenient or vacant parking lot.
While experts contend that Halloween has never been particular dangerous for children, the “Trunk-or-Treat” model is preferred by many parents since it provides a controlled environment for children to collect candy and is especially popular with families looking for an alternative or inclusive celebrations, such as those with younger or mobility challenged children.
Yep, the “abundance of caution” crowd is taking over Halloween and most experts agree that’s a good thing.
Nationwide, children in the 5-to-14 age group make up 12.5 percent of the U.S. population. Here in Utah, however, those kids make up 16.2 percent of the population, according to a American Community Survey polling conducted in 2022.
Of course, children under 5 year of age also go trick or treating on Halloween, but usually under the close supervision of their parents.
Regardless of their age, a 2023 study suggests that about 30 percent of parents accompany their kids during their travels on Halloween.
No matter how your kids collect candy this year, Halloween is big business in the United States and Utah.
“We collectively spend billions of dollars celebrating Halloween every year,” according to Lupo.
Utah has been identified as the leading state for Halloween decorations, surpassing others in the U.S., according to a study by a Michigan-based home contractor using Google search analysis and surveys.
Overall, WalletHub analysts project that Americans will spend more than 13 billion celebrating the spooky holiday, including $4.3 on costumes and $3.9 billion on candy.
The popularity Halloween attractions has also gown in recent years. Local haunted houses are expected to reap more and $400 in ticket sales this year, with more than 50 percent of those attractions being support or affiliated with non-profit groups.
Despite all that commercialism, experts still continue to emphasize ways to have a safe and sane Halloween.
“Costumes can often be made at home for a fraction of the cost of buying a costume,” according to Paula J. Tripp, a professor at Oklahoma State University.
“Then search for local fall festivals or “Trunk or Treat” activities hosted by organizations, churches or schools,” she adds.