Halloween in the Castro

Last week I read that they're planning to "close" Halloween at 11pm in the Castro.

Now they're aiming to shut it down at 10:30pm, per this SF Gate article. Bevan Dufty had proposed to cancel the event all together.

Is my neighborhood better than before Bevan Dufty was elected? My opinion is that it is worse. I'm just not buying the argument, "But Bevan goes to my gym!" I would like to hear some better arguments.

My opinion on Halloween in the Castro

Being too lazy to respond to each comment in my earlier post, I figured I'd post my own thoughts on Halloween in the Castro. It's an opinion that goes against that of many of my friends, but it's just freakin' Halloween. I'm glad that I don't have a need to agree with everyone, nor do I expect people to agree with me.

Halloween is going to be celebrated in the Castro, no matter what is sanctioned.

There have been some crappy years with some crappy attendees. I've skipped out on most Halloween events in the Castro since living here. I'm no expert on the matter. I'm getting cranky and I don't like crowds. I do like to see highlights of costumes and revelry on the news. I don't like to see highlights with news of stabbings and violence.

That said, I think someone should capitalize on the event. Charge more to get inside the gates. Charge less for those with local id. Make money on the event to pay for more security. Have more structure. Have a freakin' parade, like they do in the Village in NYC. Some people would come to see the parade, then leave.

There's the potential to one day make Halloween in the Castro a world-class event, but I doubt I'll ever see that happen. Especially with the current sanitize-the-neighborhood-for-families mindset.

On Halloween, I may just stay home and hope for no trick-or-treaters.... but have several bags of candy on hand just in case.

Mmmmm.... candy...

La Fiesta de Los Osos

Steve and I are going to La Fiesta de Los Osos in Tucson this year for the first time.

It coincides with Tucson's Wheel Around the Saguaro, a gay square dance weekend. It's nice to combine two events with one airfare and hotel bill. The schedules for both events look like they actually work well together.

Airfare to Tucson with a stop in Phoenix was actually cheaper than airfare to Phoenix. I thought bizarre "hidden city" fares were a thing of the past.

We get in late Thursday night (okay, really early Friday morning) and leave late Monday afternoon. Nice.