Halloween 2021: The Teal Pumpkin Project
Are you aware of the Teal Pumpkin Project? It’s a movement to make Halloween more inclusive for children with food allergies or other conditions that make candy not an optimal choice. The idea started in 2012 when a food allergy support group director in Tennessee named Becky Basalone decided to place a teal pumpkin on her porch. Teal was already the color of food allergy awareness, and the idea was to indicate that non-food items were available at her home. The movement has caught on spreading internationally, and now homes proudly display teal pumpkins and provide non-food items for trick or treaters. Do you want to participate this year? Here are some ideas.
Get or Make a Teal Pumpkin
Teal has been the color of food allergy awareness for some time, so it seemed the natural choice for a way to signal non-food treats. To participate, all you need to do is place a teal pumpkin on your porch. There are commercially available artificial teal pumpkins, and you can find them at places like Target as whole pumpkins or carved Jack-O’Lanterns. You can also paint a real pumpkin. Spray paint in teal from your local hardware store works perfectly.
Provide Non-Food Treats
The key with The Teal Pumpkin Project is to provide treats for children with food allergies that they can enjoy. Since food allergies can cover many things, from peanuts to gluten and more, it’s best to provide non-edible treats. Small pre-packaged toys, bubbles, glow sticks, pencils, spider rings, or notebooks are great alternatives.
Alternatives to Trick or Treating
For some kids, trick or treating may not be in the cards for several reasons. It might be related to food allergies or social anxiety caused by conditions such as autism. But that doesn’t mean your kids can’t have fun on Halloween. Some alternatives can include:
Halloween Dance Party
Queue up your favorite Halloween songs and dance all night. Here’s a playlist you can create for your dance party.
- The Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett
- Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.
- Superstition by Stevie Wonder
- Flying Purple People Eater by Sheb Wooley
- Dead Man’s Party by Oingo Boingo
- Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon
- Nightmare on My Street by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
- This is Halloween from Nightmare Before Christmas
- (It’s a) Monster’s Holiday by Buck Owens
- Thriller by Michael Jackson
Halloween Movies for all Ages
Maybe a quiet night at home is a better fit for your kids. Here are some movies great for the whole family on Halloween.
- The Addams Family (Animated)
- Frankenweenie
- Hocus Pocus
- Coco
- It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Fun and Safe Halloween Activities in Asheville
Asheville has always had a lot of significant events for Halloween. In years past, Vermont Avenue in West Asheville has closed the street to traffic for their Trick or Treat event. The road will not be closed to traffic this year, but many homes will still decorate and pass out candy. You can trick or treat safely throughout Asheville by following COVID-safety protocols.
We would love to hear from you. How will you celebrate Halloween this year?
Happy Halloween from the team at GoPrime Mortgage in West Asheville
