In the city of Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada, the local government has taken Halloween regulations to a whole new level. As of October 3rd, a new ordinance has been enacted that prohibits anyone over the age of 16 from participating in the age-old tradition of trick-or-treating. Additionally, there’s now a curfew that requires all festive activities to wrap up by 8 p.m. in an effort to keep the peace on this spooky night.
In a bizarre twist, the city has even adopted a new tagline: “Bathurst: What are you smiling about?” which seems to reflect the council’s serious attitude towards Halloween merriment. According to reports from the CBC, trick-or-treaters who dare to flaunt their age or wear a “facial disguise” after curfew could be slapped with a hefty fine of $200.
For those who might think this is a bit excessive, it’s worth mentioning that the new rules are a step back from previous regulations, which allowed trick-or-treating only up to age 14 and imposed a curfew of 7 p.m. But let’s be real—this is still a bit much. Deputy Mayor Linda Thompson has been advocating for a more relaxed approach, but her pleas have fallen on deaf ears among her fellow council members. “It’s ridiculous,” Thompson remarked. “If a kid knocks on my door at 8:30 p.m., I’m not going to turn them away.” Well, Deputy Mayor, good luck with that when local Halloween enthusiasts, eager to enforce the rules, are poised outside your door at 8 p.m.
Moreover, Bathurst has passed an additional bylaw mandating that Halloween celebrations occur strictly on October 31st, rejecting any attempts to celebrate on October 30th, a practice that has been adopted by some neighboring communities when Halloween falls on a Sunday. It seems the city council is adamant about preserving their traditional observance of Halloween, complete with legal consequences for those who stray from the path.
City spokesperson Tom Green shared that these regulations were initially introduced to quell community fears about “troublemakers” on Halloween night. Interestingly, the 2016 census indicated that nearly 49% of Bathurst’s population is aged 55 and over. But hey, who’s counting? (Sips tea.)
Thompson also pointed out the absurdity of the age restrictions, noting that not all teens are easily distinguishable by their height. “Some kids are tall,” she said. “My little cousin’s son is 5′ 4″ at 15 years old. Are we really going to ask him for ID?” It’s a valid concern, but the reality of enforcement seems all but guaranteed, especially with the eager citizenry ready to play the role of Halloween police.
In all honesty, Halloween is meant to be a whimsical holiday where kids can indulge in some free candy fun. Sure, it might be annoying when a teenager shows up at your doorstep with no costume and a cigarette, but if you really don’t want to give them a mini-Snickers, just close the door! You have the right to turn off your porch light after 8 p.m. and ignore any knocks. Adults have choices they can make about Halloween etiquette without needing to impose their views on everyone else.
In fact, by relaxing a little, you might just open yourself up to some memorable moments. I recall one year when a teenager arrived at my house with leaves stuffed in his baseball cap. When I asked, “What are you?” he replied, deadpan, “I’m a bush.” I laughed so hard I nearly cried and ended up giving him a mountain of candy. Allowing kids to embrace their silliness only enhances the joy of the holiday.
So, to all the Bathurst residents, let your kids be kids! You might find that when you stop trying to legislate joy, everyone can enjoy a happier Halloween. Plus, you might just avoid a surprise toilet-papering come November 1st!
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Summary: Bathurst, New Brunswick, has enacted a law banning trick-or-treating for anyone over 16 and has implemented an 8 p.m. Halloween curfew. Deputy Mayor Linda Thompson advocates for more lenient regulations, while the council remains strict, enforcing these rules in the name of tradition. The article humorously discusses the absurdity of such regulations and highlights the need to allow kids to enjoy Halloween freely.