I don't know when or how it started, but somehow Rockford (and pretty much everyone in the Stateline) decided we're celebrating Halloween the weekend before the actual holiday.

Every year it happens! The parties, the costumes, the chaos... it all hits early.

This weekend, you'll see people everywhere in full-on Halloween mode. It's like the entire city collectively agreed that this weekend feels more like Halloween than the real day ever does.

And honestly? I'm not mad about it. Halloween falls on a Friday this year, which is crazy that we all just celebrate the weekend before considering Friday is basically the weekend. Kids might be trick-or-treating next weekend, but adults are going out over the next three days!

This is actually the time of year I stay in the most because I hate crowds. I don't like being shoulder-to-shoulder with people at the bars, trying to make my way through crowds, none of that. I like staying home with my cats, watching movies and eating junk food. Then again, I do feel kind of left out like everyone is together while I'm all alone. You feel me?

Related: Your Guide to Halloween Fun in Rockford this Weekend

Between downtown events like Spook the Blocks, haunted houses, hayrides, and trunk-or-treats, it is the best time to people watch. Plus, the weather won't be terrible like years prior, so I know it's going to be crazy all over Rockford. Yeah, maybe we're getting a little ahead of ourselves, but if there's one thing we know how to do in Rockford... it's celebrate every chance we get.

According to me, and probably thousands of others, Halloween isn't a one-day celebration. It's a month-long party. Period.