Letters to the Editor |
Watch out for children west of Hogs' stadium
Research indicates that Saturday, for the second time in its history (the first being 2009), Razorback Stadium will host a Halloween night game. War Memorial in Little Rock had one in 1953, it appears. Halloween is also Homecoming. Given roughly 130 years of tradition, it is a rare treat for the venerable and loyal Arkansas Football fan; spooky season indeed.
As a resident of the neighborhood west of Razorback Stadium (and for our neighbors in University Heights, Sang Valley, and Markham Hill) and as a parent of fourth- and sixth-grade Minions -- this year's costume choice -- it's important that Razorbacks and the visiting Tigers be aware and, more critically, extremely careful making their way to the game from the west. After sunset, Cleveland Street is dark, very dark. So is Sang Avenue.
Each year, our neighborhood organizes a Halloween gathering for the scores of children who live on and just north and south of Cleveland Street. The costumed bunch heads out to trick-or-treat around 6:30 p.m. -- just before this year's kickoff. The group dashes across and up and down the streets as they run to each porch, and our neighbors make it one of the best nights of the year. This year, like any other, there will be dozens with plastic jack-o-lanterns full of candy, probably being carried by the parents in tow.
But we are also mindful that our west-side neighborhood serves as the gateway to tailgating and ample Razorback parking. We will be careful about cars, everyone will be carrying flashlights and the kids will be warned that this Halloween will see more traffic than usual. Please though, as you make your way to the game, pay close attention and keep watch for ghosts, witches and goblins (probably no tigers) in Razorback Stadium's surrounding neighborhoods. Afterwards, when our neighborhood families finally make their way up the hill -- probably a bit late and with a sugar rush -- you'll see the Minions on the big screens for this rarest of Razorback games, wearing Razorback red instead of yellow.
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Sanders........