Halloween in August? Rockford-area residents divided over early festivities

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Halloween may still be more than two months away, but the spooky season has already crept into local stores — and sparked a spirited debate across the stateline.

Retailers began stocking shelves with Halloween decorations and costumes as early as late July, prompting some residents to embrace the early arrival while others say it’s simply too soon to start thinking about ghosts, goblins, and trick-or-treating.

For Sara Trommer, Halloween is more than just a holiday — it’s a lifestyle. Trommer begins decorating her home on July 5, just one day after Independence Day.

“I always say that Halloween is in my soul,” Trommer said. “Even the neighbors get a kick out of it when I start bringing things out. I have one of my big skeletons up already and a couple of ghosts. They probably think I’m nuts, but I love it.”

Trommer isn’t alone. With Halloween generating more than $12 billion in annual revenue nationwide, stores are eager to capitalize on the season as early as possible. Lights, animatronics, and costumes are already filling aisles across the Rockford region.

Some residents, however, say Halloween should wait until fall.

“It’s way too hot to celebrate Halloween,” said Ariana Hererra. “It’s not the season. It’s good to get your costume early, but not too early. You’ve got to enjoy what’s left of summer.”

Gabriella Hererra agrees.

“That’s when you start putting out decorations,” she said. “But we are still in August. [Some] people aren’t even back in school yet.”

Despite the differing opinions, Trommer says her early decorating helps her savor the rest of the season.

“Any time I see anything Halloween, it just makes me happy,” she said.

Whether you’re ready to embrace the eerie well before Labor Day, or prefer to soak up the sun until that last day of summer, one thing is clear: Halloween is creeping in earlier than ever.