What is Halloween?
Chantelle and Tanille Blue Arm’s children in their Halloween costumes while attending the “Nite at the Museum” at the School of Mines Sat. Oct. 22. Dressed as Alice in Wonderland characters are; Bella Wiese as Absolum the Caterpillar, Scarlet Anderson as the Cheshire Cat, Andrea Swiftbird as Alice and Josiah Blue Arm as a Card Soldier. (Photo by Chantelle Blue Arm)
Its origins remain a bit murky, but traces can be identified in ancient Celtic festivals, early Roman Catholic holidays, medieval practices and even British politics. Samhain, known now as Halloween, was originally called “All Hallows Eve”, is celebrated on October 31 to follow the traditions of Samhain that is celebrated November 1 to honor all Saints. The celebration marks the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints and initiates the season of Allhallowtide, which lasts three days and concludes with All Souls’ Day. It is believed that on Samhain the dead return to earth and to celebrate the sacred night people gathered to light bonfires and pay homage to the dead.
Flash forward about a century and All Hollows Eve changed a bit, although it was still a celebration of the dead. Poor people would visit the houses of wealthier families and receive pastries called soul cakes in exchange for praying for the souls of the homeowners’ departed relatives, known as “Souling.
All Hallows Eve hit the mean streets of North America in the 1920’s. That is when the name changed to what we now call Halloween. What started out as a night of mischief and vandalism, by youngsters, candy was offered, to children dressed in costumes. During World War II with sugar rationing that meant fewer treats to hand out, but at the height of the postwar trick-or treating reclaimed its place. It had quickly become standard practice for millions of children to dress up in costumes and go door to door trick-or-treating. And candy companies capitalized on the very lucrative ritual. Today, Americans spend an estimated $3.1 billion on candy for just this one night. It has become the second-largest commercial holiday.
Not only did the candy industry cash in on the amount of money spent each year for Halloween, but you have decorations, costumes, haunted houses, hay rides, pumpkin patches, to just name a few. The movie industry also seen its opportunity. You see more scary movies come out the month of October then you do any other month of the year. Several TV stations have a special all month long of horror movies, all leading up to just one night. Even Santa and the Elves cannot compete with all the things you can do on Halloween.
Top 5 Halloween candies in the US. #5 Hot Tamales, #4 Starburst, #3 M&M’s, #2 Skittles (also the name of my cat) and #1 Reese’s Cups. Top 5 Halloween costumes #5 Fairy, #4 Stranger Things, #3 Blow up Dinosaur, #2 Spider-Man, and #1 Witch and the top 5 Halloween movies #5 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) #4 Halloween (2018) #3 Halloween (1978) #2 It’s the Great a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966) and #1 Hocus Pocus (1993)
Halloween this year for the good old 605 is not contained to October 31st. There are several things you can do on or before the candy filled day.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Trunk or Treat Indoor Kids Carnival Rimrock Church 5:30-7:30 pm.
Friday, Oct. 28
Trunk or Treat Antelope Ridge Box Elder 4 pm
Halloween Candy & Wine Flight Friday-Monday Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City.
Saturday, Oct 29
Downtown Trick-or-treat Main Street Square Noon-2 pm
Halloween Pot Luck Party American Legion Post 22 at 5 pm
Safe N’ Sweet Trick N’ Treat Storybook Island Noon-9 pm
Festival of Frights Halloween Party Courtyard by Marriott Box Elder 12 am
Trunk or Treat Gateway Auto 11 am to 2 pm
Trunk or Treat at 605 Auto Noon-2 pm
Halloween Candy & Wine Flight Friday-Monday Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City.
Sunday, Oct. 30
2nd Annual Valley View PTA Trunk or Treat East Middle School 4-6 pm
Trunks & Treats Destiny Foursquare Church 4 pm
Halloween Candy & Wine Flight Friday-Monday Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City.
Monday Oct. 31
Trunk or Treat First Congregational Church 4-6 pm,
Halloween Candy & Wine Flight Friday-Monday Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City.
However you choose to spend your Halloween there are a few things you need to keep in mind respect people’s property, don’t go to houses that are not lighted up, dress warm, use flashlights and reflective clothing, never go inside a home (unless you know them) only eat candy that is in the original wrapper, and travel in groups, never leave someone behind the ghouls may get you. Most of all have fun!
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October 28, 2022