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Halloween as we know it is an odd tradition where children dress up in costume and go door-to-door begging for free candy. Here are some fun facts about how many of today’s traditions started and a few other interesting tidbits about All Hallow’s Eve.
Halloween is a celebration of all things spooky, and in the United States it’s surrounded by a few odd traditions like trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving. Here are a few interesting facts about how some of today’s practices got started as well as other fun tidbits about the unique holiday.
1. “Jack o’lantern” comes from the Irish legend of Stingy Jack
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Legend has it that Stingy Jack invited the devil to have a drink with him, but Jack didn’t want to pay for the drink so he convinced the devil to turn himself into a coin. Instead of buying the drink, he pocked the coin and kept it close to a silver cross in his house, so the devil couldn’t take shape again. He promised to let the devil go as long as he would leave him alone for a year – and if Jack died that the devil wouldn’t claim his soul.
After a year, Jack tricked the devil again to leave him alone and not claim his soul. Basically, the devil is really gullible in this story. When Jack died, God didn’t want such a conniving person in heaven, and the devil true to his word (what a good guy) would not allow him into hell.
Jack was sent off into the night with only a burning coal to light his path. He placed the coal inside a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the earth ever since. People in Ireland and Scotland began creating their own creations of Jack’s lanterns out of turnips, beets and potatoes. The tradition came to the United States along with the immigrants and people began to use pumpkins, native to North America, for the lanterns instead.
2. Candy corn was originally called Chicken Feed
Photo courtesy of iStock/bhofack2
Though many would argue that candy corn tastes like chicken feed, that’s not how it got its original name. Created in 1880 by George Renninger, it was sold to the masses by Goelitz Confectionery Company (now Jelly Belly Co.) at the turn of the century. Because corn is what was used to feed chickens, the creation was called Chicken Feed and the box was marked with a colorful rooster.
3. Trick-or-treating comes from“souling”
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Having children dress up in costume and go door-to-door like little beggars demanding treats is kind of weird. Like several other Halloween activities, the tradition can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the rituals of Samhain. It was believed that ghosts and spirits walked the Earth on the night of Samhain, so people would dress up as spirits themselves in an effort to fool the real deal into thinking they were one and the same.
This act was called “guising.” As the Catholic Church started supplanting pagan festivals with their own holidays (like All Saints’ Day), the act of guising became popular and poor children and adults would go door to door dressed as angels or spirits on Hallowmas begging for food or money in exchange for songs and prayers. This was called “souling.” The earliest known reference to the phrase “trick-or-treat” in North America is from 1927 in Alberta, Canada.
4. The most lit jack o’lanterns on display is 30,581
According to Guinness World Records, the highest number of lit jack o’lanterns on display is 30,581 by the City of Keene, N.H. in 2013. The City of Keenne, represented by Let it Shine, has broken the record 8 times over since the original attempt. That’s a whole lot of pumpkins!
5. Halloween folklore is full of fortune-telling and magic
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Old English folklore about Halloween is full of superstition and fortune-telling that still lingers today, like bobbing for apples or avoiding black cats. One piece of folklore says that if a young unmarried person walks down the stairs backwards at midnight while holding a mirror, the face that appears in the mirror will be their next lover. Those people are all dead now.
6. Day of the Dead should really be called Days of the Dead
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The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, takes place on November 1 and November 2 in Mexico and a few other Hispanic countries. The first day, Dia de los Inocentes honors children that died and family members decorate graves with baby’s breath and white orchids. On November 2, Dia de los Muertos, families honor adults who have died and place orange marigolds on grave sites.
The original Aztec celebration actually lasted a month long, but when Spanish conquistadors came over to Mexico in the 16th century, they merged the festival with the Catholic All Saints’ Day. Today’s celebration is a mix of both Aztec rituals of skulls, altars to the dead and food with Catholic masses and prayers.
7. Michael Myers’ mask is actually a William Shatner mask
The 1978 horror classic Halloween can be easily recognized in just one image: the psychotic Michael Myers in his iconic pale-faced mask. Without a doubt, it’s one chilling look that has struck terror in the hearts of pot-smoking, partying teens in slasher flicks.
The film was actually on such a tight budget that the crew used the cheapest mask they could find: a $2 Star Trek William Shatner mask. They did spray-paint it white and reshape the eye holes, making Captain James Kirk look incredibly creepy. Gives a whole new meaning to the word “warp.”
8. Halloween originated from an ancient Celtic festival
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According to History.com, the Halloween we know today can trace its roots back to the ancient Celtic end-of-harvest festival of Samhain. During Samhain, people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off evil spirits.
In the eighth century, in an effort to spread Christianity, Pope Gregory III decreed November 1 as All Saints’ Day and incorporated some of the rituals of Samhain. All Saints’ Day was also called All Hallows and the night before, when the traditional Samhain festival used to take place in Celtic regions, was called All Hallows’ Eve.
9. Des Moines has a hilarious tradition called Beggars’ Night
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The night before Halloween, young children in Des Moines hit the streets for Beggars’ Night. According to an article in the Des Moines Register, the event began around 1938 as a way to prevent vandalism and give younger children a safer way to enjoy Halloween.
Beggars’ Night is very similar to regular trick-or-treating, except kids are required to tell a joke, poem, or perform a “trick” for a treat. The best part? The jokes are notoriously groan-worthy like, “If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?”
“Pilgrims.” Get your best dad jokes ready!
10. The White House is haunted
Photo courtesy of iStock/Yvonne Navalaney
The United States’ most famous address has had several reports of ghostly appearances and eerie sounds – and that’s not even including election years! The most common ghost sighting is of Abraham Lincoln who has been spotted by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and Sir Winston Churchill. Other paranormal guests include Andrew Jackson, David Burns and Abigail Adams.
Here’s how to have fun in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
Laurie K. Blandford, Treasure Coast NewspapersPublished 11:33 a.m. ET Oct. 17, 2018 | Updated 9:59 a.m. ET Oct. 18, 2018
In 60 seconds, TCPalm sports reporter Jon Santucci tells you everything you need to know before the Week 9 high school football games Friday.Hannah Schwab
It’s time to get into the spirit of fall on the Treasure Coast — based on many of this weekend’s events.
But there’s plenty of non-autumnal-themed things to do, too.
Watch cowboys and cowgirls rope and ride at the rodeo. Check in to a haunted hotel with or without the kids. Get lost in a sunflower maze at a fall festival. See local marching bands compete and collaborate. Make paper crafts at a brewery. Pull a fire truck for charity.
Have fun Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
Rope and ride at the rodeo
The Indiantown Rodeo is Friday and Saturday at Timer Powers Park at 14100 S.W. Citrus Blvd. Gates open at 5 p.m. each day, and the shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
The rodeo, in its 71st year, features bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing. The event is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.
Tickets are $18 in advance or $25 at the gate. They’re sold online and at Seacoast Bank locations. For more information, call 772-597-2184 or go to www.indiantownchamber.com.
The Haunted Hotel is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast at 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach.
For those ready to be scared, the haunted hotel is open from 8-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It’s for adults, not young children. Parental discretion is advised.
Before the weekend, the not-so-scary twilight time with lights on and music lowered is 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday. It also isn’t for young children, so parental discretion still is advised.
Admission is $8, but kids ages 16 and younger are $5 each. Get a $1 discount with one canned food donation and a $2 discount with two canned food donations. Proceeds benefit House of Hope. The museum is closed for the hotel from Thursday through Sunday, and it reopens Monday back to normal hours. For more information, call 772-225-7575 or go to www.childrensmuseumtc.org.
Redeemer Lutheran’s Fall Festival is 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Indian RiverSide Park at 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach.
The free event includes fall family photo opportunities, trunk or treat, games, food, pumpkin decorating and music. Bring an unwrapped gift for a boy or girl of any age to donate to Guardian ad Litem’s collection of toys for children in foster care. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/rlcsrams.
Peruse crafts downtown
The 19th annual Downtown Stuart Craft Festival is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 26 S.W. Osceola St.
Nearly 100 craft artisans from across the state and the nation will line Osceola Street both days. Peruse thousands of handcrafted items, including pet products, folk art, pottery, jewelry, paintings, personalized gifts, handmade clothing, scented soaps and body products. There’s also a green market.
Admission and parking are free. Friendly pets on leashes are welcome. For more information, call 561-746-6615 or go to www.artfestival.com.
The third annual Country Festival is noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation at 6400 S.W. Martin Highway in Palm City. The event happened in 2015 and 2016 but not 2017.
The festival includes a miniature horse kissing booth, guided barn tours, $5 pony rides, a haystack filled with trinkets, $2 miniature pumpkins for decorating, live music, dance demonstrations, food and drinks for sale, raffles, games and a scavenger hunt.
Admission is a $3 donation, but kids ages 6 and younger are free. Proceeds benefit the care, feeding and health needs of about 50 rescued horses. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes and collect candy from vendors, so bring a bag for treats. For more information, go to www.eraf.org.
The 31st annual Fall Garden Festival is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Heathcote Botanical Gardens at 210 Savannah Road in Fort Pierce.
The festival includes a variety of plant and flower vendors, garden supplies, garden arts and crafts, children’s activities, refreshments, demonstrations and entertainment. Admission is free. For more information, call 772-464-4672 go to www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org.
The Fall Festival and Pumpkin Sale is Saturday and Sunday at Hideaway Hammock at 7111 Carlton Road, 2.1 miles south of State Road 70, west of Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce.
The festival, which celebrates 150 years since the Carlton family made St. Lucie County home, includes a sunflower maze, hay rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, a pumpkin patch, a pumpkin slingshot, a corn kernel pit, contests to win prizes and food trucks.
Gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday, which includes a greatest race competition. Gates open at 1 p.m. Sunday, which includes a pumpkin painting contest.
The festival also continues the following weekend. Gates open at 11 a.m. Oct. 27, which includes a tug-of-war competition. Gates open at 1 p.m. Oct. 28, which includes a Halloween costume contest.
Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 4-12 and free for kids ages 3 and younger. Proceeds benefit various charities. The sunflower maze and pumpkin patch open at 3 p.m. on weekdays beginning Monday through Oct. 31, and no ticket purchase is necessary on weekdays. For more information, call 772-261-6727 or go to www.hideawayhammock.com.
The Great Pumpkin Celebration is noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Bass Pro Shops at 2250 Gatlin Blvd., in Port St. Lucie.
On both days, you can get a free photo with the “Peanuts” gang, make a Frankenstein head craft and play the pumpkin toss game for a chance to win a prize. The first 75 kids to get photos walk away with a trick-or-treat bag.
The celebration continues the following weekend from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 26 and noon to 5 p.m. Oct 27-28. All activities are free. For more information, call 772-785-7600 or go to www.facebook.com/bassproshopsportstluciefl.
Watch local marching bands
The second annual Marching Band Showcase is Saturday at Lawnwood Stadium at 1302 Virginia Ave., in Fort Pierce. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Middle and high school bands take the field to perform musical selections spanning Broadway hits to toe-tapping oldies. All the bands will unite for the grand finale in a collaborative performance under the direction of special guest conductor St. Lucie Public Schools Superintendent E. Wayne Gent. For more information, go to www.stlucieschools.org.
Here are the participating schools: Forest Grove Middle, St. Lucie West K-8, Allapattah Flats K-8, Manatee Academy K-8, Oak Hammock K-8, Southern Oaks Middle, Southport Middle, Westgate K-8, Lincoln Park Academy, Fort Pierce Westwood High, Fort Pierce Central High, Treasure Coast High, St. Lucie West Centennial High and Port St. Lucie High.
The ‘80s Party at Shindig Irish Restaurant & Pub in Port St. Lucie begins at 9:30 p.m. Friday and lasts until 2 a.m. Saturday at 464 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Suite 115.
Dress up in your best ‘80s attire for the party that includes live music from an ‘80s tribute band, On the Roxx, food and drink specials. For more information, call 772-785-6202 or go to www.shindigpub.com.
Pick a pumpkin at a patch
The Pumpkin Patch at The Landing at Tradition and Tradition Village Center is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at 10824 S.W. Village Parkway in Port St. Lucie. If it rains, the event will be moved to Sunday.
The pumpkin patch, which is geared toward parents and kids ages 12 and younger, includes a petting farm, bounce houses, face painting, photo opportunity and 1,800 free pumpkins.
Ages 2 and younger pick pumpkins at 10:15 a.m., ages 3-5 pick at 10:45 a.m., ages 6-9 pick at 11:15 a.m. and ages 10-12 pick at 11:45 a.m. For more information, go to www.shopattraditions.com.
Cruise into classic cars
The Fall Cruise-In Car Show is noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery at 4200 Johnston Road west of Fort Pierce. The event is rain or shine.
The car show, open to all collectables and classics, also has food trucks and live ‘50s and ‘60s music from The Doo Wop Guys.
Car show registration is $10, but admission is free. Proceeds benefit St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity. For more information, call 772-460-0500 or go to www.summercrushwine.com.
Pull a fire truck for charity
The third annual Fire Truck Pull & Family Water Day is noon to 7 p.m. Saturday at Walking Tree Brewery at 3209 Dodger Road in Vero Beach. The fire truck pull is at 4 p.m.
The afternoon includes a bounce house, two giant water slides, face painting, a dunk tank, food trucks and a fire truck pull where teams compete to pull a fire truck a certain distance the fastest.
Activities are free for kids, and the fire truck pull is free to spectators. Registration is $10 per team of up to 10 people. Proceeds benefit childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. To register, go to www.truckpull.eventbrite.com.
Say his name three times
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Tim Burton’s classic, “Beetlejuice,” which is reopening for a week at The Majestic 11 at 940 14th Lane in Vero Beach. It’s rated PG.
Movie showtimes are 1:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. every day from Friday through Thursday. Reserve a spot early with a $2 concession voucher online or at the theater’s box office. Tickets are available without a reservation starting Friday at the box office. To register, go to www.cwtheaters.com/vero.
In the movie, which lasts 1 hour and 42 minutes, a recently-deceased husband and wife (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) commission a bizarre demon (Michael Keaton) to drive an obnoxious family out of their home.
Make paper crafts at a brewery
Papercraft at the Pub is 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Pareidolia Brewing Company at 712 Cleveland St., in Sebastian. It happens again Nov. 17.
Use inks and stamps to make two cards through paper crafting. The class is $10, and all supplies are included. Participants get $1 off any beverage. For more information, call 772-571-5693 or go to www.facebook.com/pareidoliabrewing.
Bowl for ballerinas
The Bowl-Erina is 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday at Vero Bowl at 929 14th Lane in Vero Beach. Plus, the bowling alley has NFL games playing on TVs.
Tickets, which include shoe rentals, are $20 each plus fees for adults and $15 each plus fees for children. Proceeds benefit Vero Classical Ballet. Ticket sales end 6 p.m. Saturday. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/veroclassicalballet.
Listen to live music
The Night Sounds Concert Series is 7-9 p.m. Saturday at Sebastian Inlet State Park. The concert is at the pavilion on Coconut Point on the south side of the Sebastian Inlet Bridge.
The featured band is Free Range Strange. The quartet plays string band music, focusing on original material while infusing traditional folk, modern bluegrass, old time blues and country.
Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be for sale. Bring chairs. The concerts continue monthly through May and fall on the Saturday night closest to a full moon. Admission is the park entrance fee of $8 per vehicle. For more information, go to www.friendsofsebastianinletstatepark.org.
Drink beer for Anniversary
Celebrate American Icon Brewery’s anniversary all weekend at 1133 19th Place in Vero Beach. Live music starts at 6 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday.
The celebration also has beer releases, food and children’s activities, including a bounce house and dunk tank. For more information, call 772-934-4266 or go to www.americaniconbrewery.com.
Indian River Lagoon Science Festival and Procession of the Species in Fort Pierce
Fall Fun Fest at Port St. Lucie Civic Center
Family Fall Festival at Savannas Preserve State Park in Port St. Lucie
Nightmare on 2nd Street at Sailfish Brewing Company in Fort Pierce
“A Plastic Ocean” at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce
Spooktacular 4-H Farm Festival at St. Lucie County 4H in Fort Pierce
Garden Club of Fort Pierce’s Mega Indoor Yard and Outdoor Plant Sale at Glidden Park in Fort Pierce
Zombie Prom: Class of 1985 at HopCat in Port St. Lucie
Hobgoblins on Main Street at Riverwalk Stage in downtown Stuart
Night at the Museum Creepy Creature Feature at Hobe Sound Nature Center
Jeep or Treat at 76 Golf World in Stuart
Mapping the Middle: A Guide to All Things Tween at IRSC Chastain Campus in Stuart
Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Sunny Creek Ranch in Indiantown
Tricks and Treats at The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast in Jensen Beach
Halloween Bash at The Twisted Tuna in Port Salerno
Southern Tier Tap Spotlight and Halloween Bash at Castaways Gastropub in Jensen Beach
Charity Costume Contest and Party at Conchy Joe’s Seafood Restaurant in Jensen Beach
Halloween Parade and Costume Contest in downtown Vero Beach
Half-Haunted Halloween at Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach
Terror on Main Street Haunted House in Sebastian
Halloween Party at Walking Tree Brewery in Vero Beach
Costume Paddle Party at Paddles By The Sea in Vero Beach
Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm’s entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Read her weekly column, Laurie’s Stories, on TCPalm.com. Follow her on Twitter at @TCPalmLaurie or Facebook at faceboook.com/TCPalmLaurie.
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