“Our intention was that it stay Sunday,” Kluttz said. “If that helps people any, I don’t know, but as far as we’re concerned, Halloween is Sunday.”

The telephone has been ringing off the hook at City Hall, and calls increased Monday after WSTP radio hosts Kent Bernhardt and Howard Platt devoted a portion of their call-in morning show to the question of when people should trick-or-treat in Rowan County.

Halloween falls on Sunday, leading many citizens to ask whether Saturday night would be a better night for children to trick-or-treat door to door.

Last week, Salisbury City Council discussed the question and decided that it wasn’t going to make any official declarations about Halloween, meaning that, in its mind, it would be observed Sunday.

By leaving it alone, Kluttz said, council hoped it was simplifying things and not creating two nights for trick-or-treating.

Rowan County officials also chose the same route, and that was a big factor in the city’s decision, Kluttz said.

So to repeat: From the city’s point of view, Halloween is Sunday.

Some other municipalities in Rowan County have not followed suit, however. Faith Mayor Mark Shores said his town will observe Halloween on Saturday. Kannapolis also will celebrate Halloween on Saturday. While China Grove has taken no official stand, Police Chief Michael Bentley said the town is encouraging trick-or-treating on Saturday night.