As the leaves start their colourful descent onto the browning grass, goose season and deer season starts, pumpkin spice everything comes out, Thanksgiving enjoyed by family and friends means only one thing. Halloween is coming.
Now, Halloween in Saskatchewan is quite a big deal like everywhere else, of course. A big deal because of the weather. Come October in Saskatchewan, temperatures can reach to 0 degrees to minus 5 degrees, by the end of October there is likely to be snow on the ground. Colder weather calls for layers of clothes, ski pants and winter jackets.
Being a parent, getting Halloween costumes for your children, always is somewhat of a challenge. Most costumes bought for kids are bought in adult sizes, so you can fit the costume over snowmobile suits, and over many layers of winter clothing.
Boys in a sense are easier to dress up for Halloween in firefighters, cowboys and superhero costumes. Where as dressing up for Halloween is a bit of a struggle, the little girl who wants to be a princess has to contend with the layers of ski pants and a winter jacket. Poofing out their princess costume makes them look like princess snowmen. The little girl who wants to be a ballerina, with her tutu over top of her purple ski pants, on top of her jacket, an XL tank top, as a body suit.
Then you have the Octobers that are warm enough to not have to wear layers of warm clothes. Those are few and far between.
As a child I encountered this exact dilemma growing up in Saskatchewan, then we moved to Victoria, B.C. when I was nine. My first Halloween in Victoria, the day before,I got my snow suit out and placed it beside my costume to be ready for Halloween. I was asked by my mother why I had my snow suit out. I replied, “It’s Halloween tomorrow, I’ll need my snow suit.” My mother just smiled and said, “You are not going to need that here.” She was right! A Halloweeen without snow and bitter cold was, in fact, a magical thing.
Here are some tips on how to survive a Saskatchewan Halloween.
1. Always trick or treat in groups or pairs. Stay with someone ALWAYS.
2. Wear reflective clothing, carry glow sticks, flashlights so vehicles can see you.
3. Always dress warm. Layer up if it’s cold.
4. If approached by a stranger, run to the nearest house for help.
5. Let your parents go through your candy to make sure it is safe to eat.
A Halloween in Saskatchewan is definitely an obstacle some years, but kids on the prairies are conditioned to this seasonal weather. They all like to trick or treat in rain, snow, sleet or blizzards. A Halloween in Saskatchewan goes on despite some frigid temperatures.
