Though the origins of Halloween come to America from the shores of Ireland, it is securely entrenched as an American holiday. The tradition has been adopted in Canada, Mexico, South America and in other countries around the globe. Saint Alban’s celebrated with a couple of big seasonal events that included pumpkin picking and a parade.
A rite of passage at St. Alban’s, a non-sectarian school which offers Pre-K and Kindergarten classes, is the hayride held this year at Secor’s Farm in Mahwah. Two year olds, accompanied by an adult, are taken for a ride on a hay wagon through the working farm. The kids can see how the farm works, and the highlight is the pumpkin patch where there’s a scramble to find just the right pumpkin. Halloween’s most recognizable symbol, the pumpkin, is native to North America, and is evidence about how American this holiday has become.
The annual Halloween parade at the school is one of, if not, the biggest events held at the school. The parking lot fills early and kids and costumes can be seen strolling to the early morning event which includes all the age groups. There was an assortment of princesses, storybook characters, and super heroes, as well as regular heroes like soldiers, police and fire fighters. The parade ends with a short party for the kids in their classrooms and a few snacks for parents in the multi-purpose room on the second floor.
Below is a short video of Darryl Secor giving a brief tour of their country store.