It will likely be an extreme year for clowns this Halloween, one way or the other.

I’m not sure yet if we will see an overload of creepy Bozos because of the popularity of recent films like “Stephen King’s It” or if they will be an endangered species because of the public scares that went viral earlier this year.

My money is on the latter.

The stores are already filled with costumes that run the full spectrum from adorable to horrifying, and all points in between.

At my house, the jury is still deliberating on what the accoutrements will be. Pirates, ninja, ponies, fairies and many others are all in the mix.

I’ll probably be the last one to know, although my wife and I encourage any choice that is safe attire.

Although some people have concerns with the holiday for various and sometimes legitimate reasons, any way you slice it, Halloween is an exciting time for children.

While the sweet treats may jump to the top of their favorite things list when it comes to the holiday, it is about so much more than candy.

Halloween is about imagination. It is about creativity. It is about believing you can be anything you want in life.

In many ways, Halloween is about dreaming. That’s important — for young and old alike.

It can also be good for the community, bringing us closer together.

Trick or treating, although not without its risks and challenges, helps us get to know our neighbors a little better and connects us with those we live and play with.

If someone lives a few blocks away, this might be one of the only times you see them all year.

The holiday also helps connect the business community with citizens as well as potential customers through events like Winchester’s Halloween Main-ia.

This is a great way for businesses to build relationships with local consumers and give something back to those who support them all year.

The holiday has come a long way from its roots as a Celtic festival, and this evolution has been mostly positive.

Halloween should be about family fun that sparks the imagination. There is nothing scary about that.

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Winchester Sun and Winchester Living magazine. He can be reached at (859) 759-0095 or by email at mike.caldwell@winchestersun.com.