It’s not even mid-July, but since there isn’t a major holiday between now and Halloween, retailers don’t seem to care that the High Holiday is still 1/4 of a year away. Early Halloween merchandise has been spotted at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Jo Ann Fabrics, Pottery Barn and Yankee Candle, with the evident promise of more to come very soon.

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? On the one hand, YAY, cool Halloween stuff to buy in July! But on the other hand, (and this is my strongly-held opinion), Halloween is being done a disservice by having this stuff out this early. A Jack O’ Lantern doesn’t belong in the baking hot summer sun. These spooky treats shouldn’t see the light of the moon until there’s a chill and the scent of wood smoke in the air, don’t you think?

Seriously. What do you think – should retailers knock it off until September, or is July-O-Ween your new favorite thing? The Great Pumpkin wants to know…

“Just wait ’til next year, Charlie Brown. You’ll see! Next year at this same time, I’ll find the pumpkin patch that is real sincere and I’ll sit in that pumpkin patch until the Great Pumpkin appears. He’ll rise out of that pumpkin patch and he’ll fly through the air with his bag of toys. The Great Pumpkin will appear and I’ll be waiting for him! I’ll be there! I’ll be sitting there in that pumpkin patch and I’ll see the Great Pumpkin. Just wait and see, Charlie Brown. I’ll see the Great Pumpkin. I’ll SEE the Great Pumpkin! Just you wait, Charlie Brown. The Great Pumpkin will appear and I’ll be waiting for him…”

The very first post to this website was a parody of The Lord’s Prayer, called The Gourd’s Prayer. I recorded it for Rotting Flesh Radio – listen to it and, if you like it (use it for your Halloween mixes!), download it for free!