I can always count on getting one of two responses when I share with a new acquaintance that I’m from Puyallup: “Oh, the Puyallup Fair.” As of recently: “Oh, Sonic.”

But sometimes — just sometimes — if I’m lucky enough: “Oh, in 2004 your school district banned Halloween because it was deemed offensive to real witches.”

It goes without saying, then, that 2004 was a really bizarre Halloween for me. Between angry moms from Puyallup dishing it out on The Maury Povich Show over the newly implemented Halloween policy and watching one of my junior-high teachers indiscreetly transfer pumpkins and decor into her classroom out of protest, it was a bizarre one.

However, I was fairly apathetic throughout the whole ordeal, to be honest. I didn’t necessarily need to take advantage of school time to have a fun Halloween, so the loss of the holiday wasn’t catastrophic for me as it might have been for an elementary student at the time. I assumed that the whole evening following school was enough.

But you’d be surprised to see how many people around me — fully grown teenagers — were absolutely devastated due to the absence of Halloween during school hours — a true testament to the evolution of Halloween over the years. A holiday once thought to be a day for children has become largely celebrated by teens and adults alike. Just try taking it away, and you’ll experience these same roars of anger.

This year, more than ever, teens and adults are embracing the Halloween spirit with open arms. It’s the first time since 1998 that Halloween has fallen on a Saturday, and this evidently means more parties and festivities for the older people to enjoy.

Remember that awkward age — somewhere between 13 and 17 — when it didn’t feel ethical to be trick-or-treating, and you were left guarding the door? There’s no denying that these awkward stages existed. But the real question now becomes: When is too old?

Karen Baker, a Bothell, Wash., resident who has earned a reputation for her over-the-top decorations and haunted-house setup, says, “Never.”

“You’re never too old to celebrate Halloween,” Baker said. “But I’m too tired to go trick-or-treating.”

A recent empty-nester, Baker has kept alive a tradition of creating a haunted house out of her large front-yard gazebo and scaring children on her own.

And on campus, the philosophy seems to be shared. The amount of parties that can be expected on Greek Row come Halloween? A lot.

Students have already emptied out Red Light, Buffalo Exchange and the local Goodwill of all of its Halloween costumes.

Honestly, who says it’s too late to make up for all of those mediocre Halloweens from your childhood in college — and even beyond? It’s comforting to know that parents like Baker will always be out there spreading the holiday cheer, dressed in costume, and reminding us that Halloween isn’t just a holiday for children. I’m sure not ready to give up Halloween any time soon. This I know.

“I didn’t really celebrate Halloween until I had kids,” Baker said. “I think I did it to give them what I missed out on as a kid.”

Reach columnist Colin Gorenstein at opinion@dailyuw.com.