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[Parson B Ready]

I saw some discussion about Halloween at SDC on another thread.  So I decided to start a thread to discuss  the possibilities of Halloween at SDC.  Halloween wasn't celebrated very much in the United States prior to the 20th century.  So I don't know if it would even be appropriate for SDC theme-wise. (Whereas most of the Christmas traditions had started taking hold in America in the latter half of the 19th century. Thomas Moore published his famous poem in 1823. So even Santa was already part of the picture.)  Perhaps you could do a Halloween theme like "Baldknobbers gone wild!" Take the theme of Fire-in-the-hole and spread across the whole park.  Baldknobbers trying to get you, the undertaker chasing you.  It could be scary in a fun way.  Whaddya think?

[Copper]

The Victorians loved Halloween, so I think it would be very appropriate for SDC.  I love all of the Victorian/Edwardian Halloween decorations and think SDC would look great decorated up.  If you have ever seen Meet Me in St. Louis you might remember the Halloween segment in that and that is the style I am thinking of.  I know a lot of people ask about Halloween in the City!

[Swoosh]

I prefer SDC going with a celebration of Fall instead of Halloween.  Leave Halloween to Worlds of Fun, who does it right.  SDC has Christmas.

However, I'd love for them to get a fall concert series going in Echo Hollow during Fall Festival "ROCKtoberfest" anyone?  Have some big name Christian groups and even some Rock groups come in and perform on the weekends.

[DianaGail]

I'm not a big Halloween fan, so I am great with them doing the fall festival.

[sanddunerider]

rocktoberfest? like the echo hollow idea..  but i am a big rock fan.  i think there would be too mzny people NOT like the music.  I know there are a lot of concerns with MM theme.   that might be the time to do concerts..  its just seems hard to bring in rock to the 1880s

[Ozark Outlaw]

I never really thought about how Silver Dollar City never gets into Holloween until this topic came up recently.

I am actually very glad that Silver Dollar City doesn't overwhelm itself with Holloween because Holloween celebrations often end up being so hokey. I think the Harvest Festival is more than adequate for this time of year. Let's save the cheezy Sponge Bob, and Dora the Explorer costumes for Kids Fest.

I suppose if they really wanted to, they could tell "ghost stories" at the ghost trap over there by the old tree house.

[Nate65807]

I agree that the harvest fest sets the park apart and that Halloween has the potential to get cheesy. That said, I think that SDC would do a great job with it, but it should be limited to one or two weekend nights after 6pm (that's right...keep the park open til 10 on the Friday and Saturday closest to Halloween) This way, those who wanted to enjoy the park and the music without getting frightened could do so.

A friend and I had this discussion and we agreed that Baldknobbers (and perhaps some creepy creatures)  would have to be the central theme, as SDC is not gonna stand for ghosts. She also brought up an interesting thought. Do you think that SDC would have a problem with guests dressing up for Halloween? It is obvious that masks and face paint may be restrictions (for identification purposes, in case of an incident). But as long as a costume is "family appropriate" I don't see a problem with it. Any thoughts?

[sanddunerider]

Hmmmmm??  MM lasts 2 weeks............... halloween?? 2 weekends, late nites, rides after dark?  maybe.....    what would music them be?

[Nate65807]

As much as I love Journey, Aerosmith, Styx, Bon Jovi, etc. I don't think this would be appropriate. I think you should try to find spooky songs that stick to the theme as much as possible, with only one exception. SDC entertainers (on stage) and guests who wanted to join (off stage) in could dance to "Thriller" at the end of the night.

[sanddunerider]

Absolutley...  be a great way to finish an evening and probably would be very funny!!

[MissinTheGreenTrams]

*Disclaimer: I am not oslamming anyones religon. I am not trying to step on anyones toes. with that said continue please!*

I am NOT saying this is the reason, but my husband and I talked about this before, and maybe the reason for not having a halloween theme is because of the christian roots. I celebrate the holiday with gusto and I am christian, but there are some good christian people out there that frown at it because they feel its the work of the devil. So maybe to keep the offense off.......but then again they have christmas and proudly declare it. Which I believe in. But again that goes back to having christian roots. The whole reason for Christmas is Jesus being born. Maybe I am way off base but those are my thoughts.

[Nate65807]

*Disclaimer: I am not oslamming anyones religon. I am not trying to step on anyones toes. with that said continue please!*

I am NOT saying this is the reason, but my husband and I talked about this before, and maybe the reason for not having a halloween theme is because of the christian roots. I celebrate the holiday with gusto and I am christian, but there are some good christian people out there that frown at it because they feel its the work of the devil. So maybe to keep the offense off.......but then again they have christmas and proudly declare it. Which I believe in. But again that goes back to having christian roots. The whole reason for Christmas is Jesus being born. Maybe I am way off base but those are my thoughts.

It is a shame that there is a need to put a disclaimer with your post, MissinTheGreenTrams. However, I certainly understand your reason for doing so, as some people fly off the handle when it comes to religion.

The historical origin of Halloween, according to Wikipedia:
Historian Nicholas Rogers, exploring the origins of Halloween, notes that while "some folklorists have detected its origins in the Roman feast of Pomona, the goddess of fruits and seeds, or in the festival of the dead called Parentalia, it is more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain

What it actually means to many Americans is a day to get dressed up, get candy, attend parties, and have a great time, they don't even think about the origins of it. I am a Christian too, and I celebrate Halloween without thinking of the religious context. Other people have different beliefs and think that it is an evil holiday. Because it conflicts with the owners' beliefs and in order to offend as few people as possible, SDC doesn't celebrate Halloween. This probably is their rationale. I am not saying that anybody is right or wrong, everybody is entitled to their own opinion.

If they ever did celebrate Halloween, it would have to be a secular event, focusing on things like history of the Ozarks, Baldknobbers, and scary animals. Even if they limited it to that, I guarantee that somebody would still be offended because the time of year coincides with Halloween.

[sanddunerider]

Nate well put.

i question the fact that if a family was so strong in their faith, that halloween offends them, would they even go to SDC to begin with.?

Fact is no matter what is done at any given time, somebody will be offended or just wont like it.

Some people may find christian weekend a PUSH for religion?

Some may find kidfest to much playing, not enough learning?

MM- people may not approve of late nites or music?

and so on and so on....

[Parson B Ready]

Does anybody know if any of the other Herschend parks do anything with Halloween?

[U Smell Smoke]

Not real crazy about SDC going big into Halloween. I think the fall festival is just about right.  If they put a bunch of extra decorations up for Halloween it might make it tough to get Christmas ready in time. It seems most years SDC is not even open on Halloween and sometimes not even open the few days before it as they are taking down all the fall stuff and getting the last of the Christmas stuff up for opening the first part of November.  I must say though a haunted train ride in the dark sounds like it could be fun.