Trick Or Treat In The Heat Anchorage 2021

Anchorage. October. Halloween. Usually, these words conjure images of crunchy leaves and cozy sweaters. But 2021? Well, that was something else entirely.

Remember that year? We were all geared up for snowsuits under our costumes. We envisioned little goblins trekking through slushy sidewalks. Instead? We got sunshine. And warmth. Seriously, warmth! I'm not talking about "mild for Alaska" warmth. I'm talking about, "Is this Miami?" warmth.

Trick or Treat: The Great Climate Confusion of '21

The kids loved it, of course. No bulky parkas to weigh them down. They could actually show off their costumes! My daughter, dressed as Elsa, wasn't sweating profusely inside a giant snow princess dress. That's a win in my book.

But let's be honest, it felt… wrong. Like drinking hot chocolate on a beach. Or wearing sandals to a hockey game. It threw off the entire spooky vibe. Where was the dramatic chill in the air? Where was the anticipation of the first snowfall clinging to our eyelashes?

We had to contend with things like mosquitos (yes, mosquitos!) buzzing around the candy bowls. I swear I saw a kid swatting one with his lightsaber. It was less "Nightmare Before Christmas" and more "Mild Annoyance Before Christmas."

And the pumpkins! Oh, the poor pumpkins. They were practically melting on the porches. Carving them felt less like a festive tradition and more like a race against the clock before they turned into orange goo.

Let’s not forget the candy. Chocolate was a dangerous game. Snickers bars transformed into melty puddles of peanut-buttery sadness. Starbursts stuck to their wrappers like glue. It was a sugar-fueled disaster zone.

My Unpopular Opinion: Bring Back the Brrr!

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Be grateful for good weather!" And yes, I appreciate a sunny day. But Halloween needs a certain level of discomfort, doesn't it? A little bit of wind, a hint of rain, a definite chill. It adds to the atmosphere. It makes the candy taste better, somehow.

I may be in the minority here, but I missed the biting wind that year. I missed the challenge of navigating icy sidewalks in oversized clown shoes. I missed the satisfaction of sipping hot apple cider to warm up after a long night of trick-or-treating.

The heat just felt…off. It made it harder to get into the spirit of things. Sure, the kids had fun, but I secretly longed for the days when Halloween meant battling the elements, not slapping on sunscreen.

Maybe I'm just a grumpy old Alaskan who enjoys a good shiver. But I stand by my unpopular opinion. Trick-or-treating in the heat is just… weird. Give me a frosty Halloween any day. Let the snow fall. Let the wind howl. Let the candy stay solid! Okay? Okay.

Don't get me wrong, Anchorage is amazing in its own quirky ways. But that 2021 Halloween felt like a glitch in the matrix. A beautiful, sunny, mosquito-ridden glitch.

So, to all the other Alaskans who secretly missed the cold that year, I see you. We may be a small (and slightly cranky) group, but we remember. We remember the year Halloween forgot it was supposed to be spooky. And we hope it never happens again.

Next time, Mother Nature, please remember to turn down the thermostat. My inner child (and my chocolate stash) will thank you.

Besides, wouldn’t you agree that part of the fun of Halloween is the thrill of bundling up in layers so thick you can barely move, all while navigating the dimly lit streets of Anchorage in search of the perfect sugary treat?