Hurricane Sandy: Halloween postponed for millions of kids
Children up and down the East Coast were advised not to to trick or treat on Wednesday, as millions struggled to cope with the damage done by hurricane Sandy.
A 'sad faced' jack-o-lantern awaits trick or treaters on Halloween at a house with tree damage in Silver Spring, Maryland October 31. Hurricane Sandy played Wicked Witch on Wednesday, postponing Halloween for millions of disappointed children warned not to trick or treat amid dangling electrical wires and trees uprooted by the deadly storm.
Gary Cameron/Reuters
Mega-storm Sandy played Wicked Witch on Wednesday, postponing Halloween for millions of disappointed East Coast children warned not to trick or treat amid dangling electrical wires and trees uprooted by the deadly weather.
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Historic damage from Sandy upended the fun across the US East Coast, rescheduling the traditional door-to-door candy gathering in some Connecticut towns to Nov. 7, the day after Election Day.
By executive order, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie moved Halloween to Monday, citing safety concerns in his storm-ravaged state, where Sandy made landfall earlier this week and began its destructive march inland.
Millions of children looking forward to Halloween since last year's celebration was canceled by a freak snowstorm were stunned by the news that the Oct. 31 holiday was being delayed yet again.
"I'm upset. It's just not the same as on Halloween," said Piper Eccles, 12, of Maplewood, New Jersey, who spent $80 on her homemade costume to portray Effie Trinket, a character from the hit movie "The Hunger Games."
Some parents in New York City's suburbs fended off deep disappointment and endless whining by staging last-minute daytime gatherings in parking lots and parks where their costumed children could safely trick or treat on the actual holiday. At "Trunk or Treat" events promoted by friends through Facebook and other social media, costumed children gathered candy car to car, trunk to trunk.
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