01 Nov Trick or treat on Duncan St.—the 2015 numbers

Posted at 21:54h in That's life by

Since 1996, Halifax resident Dan Conlin has kept close track of the vampires, witches, and ninjas who show up at his Duncan St. home on October 31. The numbers plummeted from 2005 to to 2012, but have edged up for the last three. Yesterday they topped 100 for the first time in eight years.

Halloween Chart 2015

The annual dental industry nightmare got underway at 5:45 p.m.,  peaked around 7 p.m., and vanished into the ether by 8:45 p.m. Vampires and witches continue to top the list. Skeletons are up, princesses and superheros mercifully down. The most striking feature of Conlin’s meticulous list is variety: His 1o1 visitors represented 70 distinct character categories.

Standouts, says Conlin, included:

  • Campfire (lighted skirt, firewood belt with marshmallow head).
  • Two knights (personally designed coat of arms, cool helmets).
  • Bat (wonderful home-made costume with wings made from umbrellas).
  • CBC cowboy (great cowboy costume with CBC bandana).
  • Astronaut (impressive home-made costume).
  • Amazing papier mache monster head.
  • Beautiful Dead Mouse DJ with lighted ears.

Perhaps reflecting the rising university censure against costumes that might offend or microaggress, there were no cross-dressers. Surly, uncostumed teenagers, once commonplace, were likewise absent.