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![]() As executive editor of the Night+Day series, and as someone who has spent a lifetime in travel, I certainly influence our selections and recommendations. But our guidebooks reflect a collaborative effort involving local writers and experienced editors. So I welcome this opportunity to share my very personal views and experiences. I sincerely hope you find them somewhere between interesting and extremely helpful (life-altering is probably too much to ask). As always, I very much welcome your comments. Click here to send me an email. |
HOME » WORLD TRAVELER » ALAN’S VIEW
October 2010
A brief history: The top three things that the Irish have done for the world are a) created Irish coffee; b) saved civilization; and most importantly, c) gave us Halloween! (My apologies to those who think St. Patrick’s Day is more important than saving civilization.) According to history.com, the origins of Halloween date to some 2000 years ago, when the Celts celebrated their New Year on November 1st. The night before, when ghosts of the dead visited the living world, Celtic priests built huge bonfires, Celts wore costumes, and God knows what else happened! A thousand years later, the Romans—who knew a good thing when they saw it—revived the holiday with the help of a pope or two. November 1st became All Saints’ Day, the evening prior became Hallowmas, and the costumes evolved into saints, angels and devils. In nineteenth-century America, Irish immigrants, by then perhaps the world’s experts in partying, helped educate the masses (i.e., doubting Protestants) about this not-to-be-missed opportunity to celebrate (and make money selling candy), and soon everyone was trick-or-treating. It is even estimated that today more people celebrate Halloween than watch “American Idol.” By “best” Halloween I mean large street parties that are let-your-hair-down fun, and actually take place on or, if a multi-day event, include October 31st. This emphasis on fun rules out the more spiritual “Day of the Dead” celebrations taking place in much of the world outside the U.S. and Canada. And one of the most outrageous events in the U.S., San Francisco’s (although it has moved to neighboring Richmond for the first time) incredible Exotic Erotic Ball, an over-the-top, warehouse-filled nightclub and costume party held on October 24th, is ruled out on both counts. For a period of time, San Francisco could claim top honors for a Halloween street party, thanks to the creativity and energy of its gay and lesbian community. Times change. City officials who deemed the celebration unmanageable have tamed the raucous Castro Street parties. No streets will be closed, and the police will likely outnumber the revelers. That makes my first choice for where to be easy. 1. Key West Fantasy Fest 2. West Hollywood Costume Carnaval 3. New York’s Village Halloween Parade
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