We thought we were coming to New York to “paint the town red” but it seems New Yorkers have beaten us to the punch. However rather than the somewhat premature red christmas decorations in the seasonal display at Macy’s, which is unbelievable in itself – the colours they are “painting” are orange and black. And its not to show support for the BC Lions, it is for what seems to be a month long celebration of everything Halloween and pumpkin.

A Google search indicates that as late as 18th and early 19th century Halloween was not recognized as a significant event in North America despite that similar celebrations were common in Europe much earlier. The Puritans of New England – the original founders – maintained strong opposition to the holiday and it was not until the mass Irish and Scottish (must have been the wiskey) immigration during the 19th century that the holiday was brought to North America in earnest. Confined to the immigrant communities during the mid-19th century, it was gradually assimilated into mainstream society and by the first decade of the 20th century it was being celebrated coast to coast by people of all social, racial and religious backgrounds. (thanks to Wikipedia).

And New Yorkers have embrassed the holiday with a vengence because everywhere you look, the City is celebrating. Store windows are full of ghosts and witches surrounded by spider webs and bats. Many of the markets display intricately carved pumpkins with traditional and patriot images. Walking through the residential neighbourhoods, front stoops are decorated with fall coloured flowers and pumpkins – some carved, some accompanied by other gourds.

And one of the biggest events of the year in New York is the Halloween Parade which winds its way from Greenwich Village – an appropriate starting point – up 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 21st (just down the street from home). The parade is in its 39th year and is the largest public Halloween event in the US. In 2011, over 2 million people participated. It is listed as one of the 100 Things to Do Before You Die.

There is a whole website devoted to inviting New Yorkers (and foreign interloppers we hope) to costume up and join in the event.Sign us up! Check out http://www.halloweennyc.com/parade. There are even workshops for those who wish to really get involved. But for most, a visit to any one of a hundred Halloween costume themed stores will let you score the appropriate garb. The other day we wandered down the iconic Wall Street past the New York Stock Exchange, Federal Hall where George Washington took the oath of office as the 1st US President and in the middle of the block was, you guessed it, a beautiful 1920s Art Deco building festooned with banners announcing “Halloween City” in bright orange, black and green and with Marshmellow Man inflated outside the door. It was surreal to say the least, or maybe a statement as to what entrepeneurish has become in the financial capital of the world.

Pumpkin is everwhere. In the grocery stores you can buy not just pumpkins but everything pumpkin. Pumpkin spice lattes are a nod to the harvest and Halloween but here there is nothing that is not pumpkin. Pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread and pancake and waffle mix, pumpking ice cream – and out of this gourd experience according to the Fearless Flyer from Trader Joe’s – and greek yogurt, honey roasted pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin spice tea, pumpkin mousse cake and pumpkin butter. There is even pumpkin flavoured dog treats; a 16oz box for $3.49. And if there is something you need to flavour they don’t already sell, there are pumpkin spices of every description.
Halloween has become a celebration of the harvest and the pumpkin the symbol of success.

In New York, they must be experiencing a great harvest because the city and the people here have really jumped on board. That’s something great about America: When they do things they do them with gusto; no ambivalence. They love to find things to bring them together to celebrate and Halloween is one of those things. We feel lucky to be here to experience and enjoy this enthusiasm and energy. We could use a little of that back home!!