Trick or treating on Halloween

Carson City's moving of trick or treating away from the Nevada Day parade tapped into a memory in Carson Valley that has caused some confusion.

Until voters approved establishing a three-day holiday for Nevada Day and declaring the last Friday of the month the official holiday, it wasn't unusual for both Carson and Douglas to celebrate Halloween on Oct. 30.

We were told at the time it was to ensure that children weren't sharing dark streets with Nevada Day celebrants who may have imbibed a little too freely.

In practice, some children would trick or treat in Carson or Douglas on Oct. 30 and then go to Lyon County or California for Halloween.

Since 1999 though, Nevada Day has always been observed on a Friday, clearing the decks for trick or treaters to patrol the streets for candy on Oct. 31.

This year, we in Douglas have decided to leave Halloween alone, trusting that the proliferation of statehood revelers has been adequately suppressed by the increasingly severe DUI laws.

If you're concerned about having the little ghouls out on the streets the night of Nevada Day, check out Trick or Treat Safety Street 3-8 p.m. at Minden's CVIC Hall, or one of several harvest festivals sponsored by Valley churches.

And while you're at it, take a moment and reflect on the longshot that was Nevada's statehood, granted 145 years ago.