Falmouth Tried to Cancel the Halloween Parade. Parents Said Absolutely Not.
Parents pushed back, the district reversed itself by Sept. 30, and the superintendent says "we missed the mark." The parade's future after this year is still open.
By Dez Marlowe ·
Never get between Massachusetts parents and a kid in a costume.
Falmouth told families the elementary school Halloween parades were canceled. A parent petition with 1,100-plus signatures later, the district reversed itself by Sept. 30.
Superintendent Lori Duerr didn't dodge it: "We missed the mark on this one." The district's reasons were inclusivity, kids who struggle with Halloween, and absences, about 109 students out on parade day last year. "None of us were canceling Halloween," she said.
The catch: the district is still collecting input for the rest of the year. Parents think this is a pause, not a win.
Falmouth's not alone. Northborough, Melrose and Needham have all fought this fight. Check back next fall.
Sources
- Boston.com: Falmouth reverses Halloween parade cancellation after backlash (opens in a new tab)
- Cape Cod Times: Falmouth's Halloween parades are back. Parents worry it's only a pause. (opens in a new tab)
- Cape News: Parent petition brings Falmouth Halloween parades back (opens in a new tab)
- Boston 25 News: Falmouth Public Schools announce Halloween parades reinstated (opens in a new tab)
Dez Marlowe is a Boston Uncut reporter covering Boston, Massachusetts, national and world news.