The history of Halloween or fall harvest celebrations have been around more than 2,000 years since the ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain.
Borrowing from European traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money. In the 1800s, the tradition of playing tricks on Halloween had become popular in the United States and Canada. Pranks included tipping over outhouses, openings gates, egging homes, etc.
By the 1920s & 1930s, to prevent the pranks from becoming more dangerous, there was a move to mold the celebrations to be more of a community gathering with parades and parties focused on games and food.
By the 1950s the old practice of going door-to-door “trick-or-treating” was revived and families would provide small treats to prevent tricks being played on them. This is what eventually became today’s “trick-or-treat” tradition.
Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion on Halloween, and it is the second largest commercial holiday right behind Christmas.
Every year our sidewalks are bustling with families, from far and wide, in search for treats, so here are a few tips to make sure everyone has a safe Halloween.
Trick or Treaters:
Map out a route and know your area. Stay on the sidewalks, where it is well-lit and avoid taking shortcuts to prevent accidents. Please be mindful of others and on-coming traffic when crossing the road.
Make sure you have some reflective gear on, wear a flashlight or a glowstick. It is important that you are highly visible to others.
Homeowners:
Keep a light on! By having your porch light on (or off) will be a clear indication that you are passing out treats.
Clear any obstacles from the sidewalks or steps. Many kids will be wearing a mask, and this will help prevent anyone from tripping on objects.
Pets will get very excited with all the visitors but not everyone is a pet lover. Please make sure they are kept at a distance and do not jump or bark. This can be very scary to small children.
Halloween in Pleasant View Village is always a lot of fun and is a community favorite. Please stay safe and have a spooky good time.