SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Partygoers looking for a raucous time in the Castro this Halloween are likely to find a party “diluted” by other neighborhood gatherings or perhaps a large concert in The City.

Entertainment Commission officials are meeting with neighborhoods around San Francisco and other cities around the Bay to discuss revelry options for this year’s Halloween.

Recent Halloween parties in the Castro have resulted in bloodshed, and officials clamped down on the party last year with closed bars and restaurants and a strong police presence.

But last year’s Halloween fell on a Wednesday, and the day after, neighborhood residents, merchants and city officials turned their eyes toward Halloween 2008, which, because of leap year, falls on the last Friday of October, coinciding with Critical Mass.

Last year’s theme, “Home for Halloween,” has a twist this year because the Entertainment Commission is looking for neighborhoods to put together events that would keep residents in their home neighborhoods, commission President Audrey Joseph said.

She said The City, the Entertainment Commission and neighbors would develop a “real plan” for Halloween night to avoid the “police state” they had in the Castro last year.

“To do what we did last year is simply not feasible again,” Joseph said. “I think we’ve got to come up with a master plan that both merchants and residents feel good about.”

After bars and restaurants were closed for Halloween — a big day for employees to earn money — Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who represents the Castro, reiterated his stance that they would not close again for a Halloween.

“We’re trying to bring back some of the charm, and some uniqueness to the celebration instead of this huge tsunami of drunken people overwhelming the Castro,” Dufty said.

dsmith@examiner.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

8:30 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 17, 2007 re: "Council: Don�t drop Halloween"

Irony said:
Saw what? I think you're misinterpreting Christianity with Islam. Haven't seen many Christians beheading "infidels" lately.

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10:45 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 16, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Examiner Reader said:
Holloween is not being attacked by by the PC Lefties. It is the Christian Right who find it offensive. If you want to find out who the protected classes are in this country, try saying something about Christians and their irrational beliefs based on scripture. Anyone brave enough to to state that Christian faith is delusional would be burned at the stake.

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9:36 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 16, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Kelkyen said:
I'd like to point out the error of those who think the loss of Halloween is due to the non-religious or other bleeding hearts. From Wikipedia ---> Some consider Halloween to be completely incompatible with the Christian faith due to its origin as a Pagan "festival of the dead."

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10:11 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Examiner Reader said:
We can thank the ACLU and the bleeding hearts for this. Just look what they have done to Christmas for cryin' out loud. Total ignorance.

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10:02 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Examiner Reader said:
Watch out thanksgiving is next because it involves Religion and a bunch of white people dressed in silly outfits....

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9:37 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Dale said:
Ok this is about the most rediculous thing I've heard. Heaven forbid (oh wait, can't say that b/c it might be construed as religion) anyone be offended by anything. Halloween is a time for kids to dress up and celebrate being children, fun for families regardless of background because there is no presumption of religion. How do you not celebrate? Exactly how did they determine that less than 10% of the students celebrate the holiday? They send out surveys to 2nd graders? I live up the street and am adding this to the numerous reasons for me moving out of state, right below being taxed to death by Governor tax alot Omalley...REDICULOUS

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7:14 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Runnin' for the Back Door said:
Hmm, apple pie and apple juice at the end of the day. That's enough fiber and pectin to give more than a few of the kids the old Hershey squirts. Good idea. The bus ride home should be fun!

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7:11 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal fun replacing Halloween"

Benny said:
�I�m for anything that creates a sense of inclusion..." OK, then I will come over and slap all you PC morons upside the head. That should give you a sense of inclusion!! Less than 10% of the school population says they don't celebrate Halloween, so they cancel it. This is a perfect example of the tyranny of the minority. Who does Halloween offend? It is a secular holiday! You put on a costume, you have fun, you get some candy. What could be better than that for a kid? These PC school administrators need to get over themselves and let the kids be kids.

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5:32 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007 re: "Seasonal celebrations replacing Halloween"

Teflon Leprechaun said:
This is ridiculous! If you don't want to sell Halloween, then get the hell out of this country! Halloween is not a religious holiday, it's a holiday for kids. No wonder children are shooting up schools, they are taking away everything fun like Gym, Recess, Christmas, and Halloween. So far, the terrorists have won as they're slowing causing stuck up PC yuppies to overly protect their children instead of letting them be children. This country is starting to suck real bad!!

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