Community members get a jump-start on the Halloween festivities

By Leah Rainwater

The school year has officially started in St. Joseph, which means fall will be here in no time, and many people are already bringing out their Halloween decorations.

Spirit Halloween opened its doors for its 2024 season in St. Joseph on Saturday, Aug. 17, and some people are already taking the chance to stock up on some spooky specialties.

Heidi Ethetton was out shopping and looking at costumes with her daughters. She said costumes are a big part of their Halloween celebrations and that her daughters get excited to dress up every year.

“Costumes, they always decide in the spring,” Ethetton said. “And then they sometimes will change their minds in the summer. But they like to start early so they can start preparing and building their costumes.”

Ethetton said when it comes to decorating for the holiday, she likes a good “middle-ground” date.

“Usually I would say the first of October,” Ethetton said. “Sometimes it might be the last of September.”

Arielle Stephenson, district sales manager for the St. Joseph branch, said the point of opening Spirit Halloween stores this early isn’t just to get a jump-start on the season.

“So we open earlier because everyone is so excited about it,” Stephenson said. “But then we can raise more money for the ‘Spirit of Children,’ which is our big charity. We donate to all of the local hospitals.”

St. Joseph shoppers will have until Nov. 2 to enjoy Spirit Halloween.