GAH! The dreaded "fall festival"!

7663 Views 83 Replies 46 Participants Last post by CaliforniaMelanie, Aug 25, 2009

UnOrthodOx

Discussion Starter · Aug 20, 2009

I've been struck with the dreaded Fall Festival!

The school I was building the Laboratory setup for has bowed to complaints from parents, and is cancelling the Halloween Carnival they have done for ages in favor of a "Fall Festival". They still want me to bring in my setup, however. (I made more than any 2 other booths combined last year, including the meals they were selling)

What's more concerning to ME, however, is to further seperate it from Halloween, it's being pushed to Sept 14!

Gotta go through and decide what projects are going to get the axe. I have a number of them at ~90% completed already, though, so it's not like I can't get A lab together in time, just won't be what I wanted it to.

I've also gotta find somewhere to get me a bald cap, latex, and makeup together for my costume.

Halloween in September for me...

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digbugsgirl

· #2 · Aug 20, 2009

That sucks! I'm so tired of this "offending people" crap. How long has Halloween been around???? So many holidays are being sensored because 1 -2% of the poplulation is offended. Bah humbug to you, I say!! (not you, UnOrthodOx)

jdubbya

· #3 · Aug 20, 2009

I think I would simply decline to participate and let them know why. If your booth was a money maker and you don't show up, they'll notice. I'd also take every opportunity to let people know why you're not participating. You do this as part of a Halloween celebration, not a "fall festival" in September. You have a chance to send a message and not bow to the ignorance. Take it!

Tinaspaintedlady

· #4 · Aug 20, 2009

What parent gets offended by kids in costumes getting candy? Honestly think back when you were young and able to celebrate Halloween at school. It was the early seventies for me and we paraded down the hallways in our costumes and got candy, that was it. I have just about had it with the thin skin of many folks. Really it is getting old.

Halloweinerdog Lover

· #5 · Aug 20, 2009

That's horrible! I can't believe there is anyone out there who doesn't like Hallowe'en! I like fall decor and everything but Hallowe'en decorations definately trump!

eanderso13

· #6 · Aug 20, 2009

What a load of BS! September isn't even fall, in my book! (and officially, Sept 14 isn't according to the calendar, either!)

Squeaky wheel gets the oil, thought, huh? Doesn't matter if its 1-2% of the population, as long as they ***** and moan louder than anyone else. There's always bound to be someone in a position of power who will bend like a wet noodle because that's how they got to that position...doing whatever the loudest complainers wanted!

stev1955

· #7 · Aug 20, 2009

I never understood why the fear of offending a small minority of people outweighs offending a majority. I would think (or hope) there are more people that enjoy Halloween than those that fear it.

theworstwitch

· #8 · Aug 20, 2009

Are you allowed to make it spooky? If so, go all out!!! The kids and most adults will probably like your stand more than the apple tree displays

Pumpkin Torture Guy

· #9 · Aug 20, 2009

Squirrel headed Bas%&^ds. I'd like to give them something that's offensive! Give'um what you got with both barrells. It's for the kids ain't it?

jdubbya

· #10 · Aug 20, 2009

theworstwitch said:
Are you allowed to make it spooky? If so, go all out!!! The kids and most adults will probably like your stand more than the apple tree displays

Pumpkin Torture Guy said:
Squirrel headed Bas%&^ds. I'd like to give them something that's offensive! Give'um what you got with both barrells. It's for the kids ain't it?

I respectfully disagree. By taking part in this watered down, sanitized event, you only condone it and send the message that "it's okay." It's not, if you really want to make it a Halloween event. By not participating and being vocal about the reason, you send a clear message. Tell the organizers that when it reverts back to a Halloween celebration, you'l be there with bells on, but you won't take part in this type of "alternative" activity." JMO

halloween4ever

· #11 · Aug 20, 2009

I would probably agree with not participating, BUT......The reality is that we Halloween addicts are in the minority and most people wouldn't understand why you got so upset this wasn't a Halloween event. So, protesting this event probably wouldn't do any good. Just bow out of it and channel your Halloween energy towards a different event.

UnOrthodOx

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 20, 2009

Blowing it off is not an option, since my-mother-in-law teaches there.

She also gets to keep all the money we make, just for her class. I, personally, think this is a part of the problem, others being jealous how much we made last year. And, the whole "if you can't beat em, cry foul" mentality.

halloween4ever

· #13 · Aug 20, 2009

Since there's a mother in law involved...you better do it then. Have your Halloween booth, the kids would like it more anyways.

How does your mother in law feel about this?

Baron Samedi

· #14 · Aug 20, 2009

In a way, it's nice to know that it's not just on this side of the Atlantic that Political Correctness has gone totally, stark raving mad.

I'm not aware of any UK organisations making rules to outlaw Halloween, after all it's still not that big a deal here and is largely ignored. however I know of a local authority that changed Christmas to "Winterval" so that non-Christians could celebrate too and not be offended.

I completely agree with jdubbya. I would pull out. If your display makes more money for the organisation than 2 other stalls combined then someone somewhere is going to miss that revenue and questions will be asked. of course, I would offer a full explanation in writing as to why you felt the need to withdraw.

I realise that this is possibly not a course of action that you may wish to take. you obviously enjoy displaying your set-up and it does raise money for a good cause. however, certain of us must start to stand up to these dictatorial do gooders who think they can deny decent, law abiding, tax paying people the right to celebrate for fear that their enjoyment may offend a few ignoramuses.

To paraphrase Jdubbya, by particpating in this fiasco, you condone it.

By boycotting it, you send a message in the name of freedom and common sense.

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halinar

· #15 · Aug 20, 2009

Wow, sept 14 is still blazing hot summer here in Florida.

Baron Samedi

· #16 · Aug 20, 2009

UnOrthodOx said:
Blowing it off is not an option, since my-mother-in-law teaches there.

She also gets to keep all the money we make, just for her class. I, personally, think this is a part of the problem, others being jealous how much we made last year. And, the whole "if you can't beat em, cry foul" mentality.

My apologies. i was interrupted whilst composing my previous post and didn't realise family members were involved.

Frankie's Girl

· #17 · Aug 20, 2009

That really, really sucks.

Here in Houston, most area schools bowed down to the religious fanatics decades ago, and since the 1980s, no child is allowed to wear Halloween costumes, no decorations that are Halloween related (fall leaves, fine, JoLs or black cats, etc are out) and no teacher is allowed to do any Halloween activities or discuss Halloween at all.

My mother is a retired elementary school teacher, and I worked in her classroom during college as a teacher's helper for years. Saying that, I really don't know if I'd be able to participate in a "Fall Festival" without at least making sure that folks knew that I wasn't in agreement that Halloween should be removed from the schools. (maybe advertise your house haunt with some signage?

battygirl

· #18 · Aug 20, 2009

This is ridiculous. Parents should be pushing Halloween! It promotes creativity and imagination. I don't know how many memories we all have from childhood Halloweens. Actually I think that that's why most of us are in love with Halloween....it brings back all the joy from Halloween when we where kids. I've heard some crazy Christians say that they don't want their children growing up in fantasy land they want them to live in reality. I say it's ******** you have maybe10-12 yrs of truly being a child and then there is enough time for reality when you grow up. Also I don't understand why radicals tell their kids about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or the tooth fairy then because those are also fantasy like characters for holidays.

I know I'm prolly not making any sense hear but I just am fed up. I am a christian and don't go to church because of a lot of reasons but mostly they try and dominate everyone around them. Bully their thinking and are hypocritical. Anyway my point is some people have fun sucking the fun out of others lives!! I am split half of me says pull out the other give'em hell!!!

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Spyderella

· #19 · Aug 20, 2009

Fall Festivals...Trunk or Treats....Malloweens....I HATE THEM ALL!!!!!

BevAnn

· #20 · Aug 20, 2009

Spyderella - we are neighbors!! I'm just down south of ya, in the River Valley!!

I agree - it totally sucks, but we too haven't seen any true holidays in the schools here for YEARS.

Fall Festival, WINTER break, etc...it so pisses me off!!!!!

BUT, since it's for mom-in-law and her class gets the money from your booth, then YES go all the hell out!!! Show 'em all!!!!!!!!!!!!

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