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Alliance moves trick-or-treat to Oct. 29 as city prepares to host state football playoffs
Summary
Mayor Grove moved the city'wide trick-or-treat from Oct. 31 to Oct. 29 for one year so Alliance can host the OHSAA high school state football playoffs; administration and police cited public safety and visitor events, and several residents objected during public comment.
Mayor Grove announced at the Oct. 20 Alliance City Council meeting that the city will move its one'time, city'wide trick'or'treat from Friday, Oct. 31 to Wednesday, Oct. 29 while Alliance hosts the Ohio High School Athletic Association state football playoffs.
"Our top priority is the safety of the citizens and the children," Mayor Grove said, noting the city expects heavy visitation and community events tied to the playoffs. "City Administration and City Police support the change and believe it will be safer and give everyone events to enjoy and remember." He said Halloween festivities on Oct. 31 will remain available for private parties and events.
Several residents raised concerns during public comment. Robert Phillips said the change came at the last minute and disrupted working parents and other school and youth events; he criticized the Mayor's Office for how calls were handled about the change. "You screwed up Halloween," Phillips said, adding that shifting sports schedules and other events meant families were inconvenienced.
Council members said the move resulted from discussions with Alliance High School and coordination with Stark County schedules; the mayor's office and police described the decision as a safety'driven, one'time accommodation for hosting playoff events.
The city did not present a formal vote on the change; officials said it was an administrative decision supported by police and the administration. The city also reminded residents that Halloween on Oct. 31 remains for private events and that other local festivities are scheduled around that date.
