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What’s Going Down in Boyertown?(history of halloween)

Jeff Frederick Jeff Frederick03 Nov 2020

Your weekly guide to the events and happenings in and around Boyertown, PA

What to do? Where to go? Here is your one stop list of community events, music, arts, food, business specials, and historic events for Boyertown and beyond…

As a Boyertown graduate, a real estate agent at Glocker Realty, and also a proud member of Building a Better Boyertown, I have had the joy of watching our little town grow. I enjoy having any part in helping our community to move forward. I hope this weekly blog will help shine a light on all the great things happening in and around Boyertown, PA

Here is what’s going down during the week of 10/29 – 11/4/2020

HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN IN A NUTSHELL

Halloween began with the Celts over 2000 years ago. They believed that on October 31st, the night before the festival of Samhain or the “Celtic New Year”, the world between the living and the dead would dissolve and they could cause misery such as sickness or damaged crops.

The Celts would place skeletons by the window to prevent ghosts from attempting to enter homes and would keep bowls of food outside their doors to appease them. People would also hollow and carve vegetables such as turnips to scare away wandering spirits.

Another familiar practice from the Celtic history, is the wearing of costumes on October 31st. To avoid the risk of encountering spirits when leaving their homes after dark, the people would mask themselves and dress in ghoulish costumes. This way the ghosts would mistake them as fellow mates and not create a nuisance.

In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III decided November 1st would be celebrated as All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day integrated some of the traditions of Samhain. The previous evening, October 31, evolved to be known as ‘All Hallows Eve’, now celebrated annually as Halloween.

When the immigrants from Ireland came to America during the late 19th century, they brought the Celtic tradition of carving vegetables with them. They found that pumpkins, a native American vegetable, were easier to carve and made perfect jack-o-lanterns. Thus, they popularized the Halloween celebration in America.

Around the 20th century, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft. Reviving the old European practice of trick-or-treating, previously known as souling, was a relatively inexpensive and fun way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats.

Over the centuries, from an ancient Celtic day, Halloween has evolved into a day a holiday equally enjoyed by kids and adults. The modern-day Halloweens are all about trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, costumes, parties, and festive traditions between family and friends.

Here are a Few interesting Halloween facts:

  • Halloween in 2020 will have the first full moon since 2001 and before that it was 1955. The next one won’t occur until 2039.
  • The most popular children’s costume is princess, second is superhero, and the most popular adult costume is a witch.
  • 2 Billion lbs of pumpkins are grown in the US every year.
  • Jack-o’-lanterns are derived from the story of an Irish man named Stingy Jack who tricked the devil and therefore was not allowed into heaven or hell — so he spent his days roaming the Earth, carrying a lantern, and went by “Jack of the Lantern.”
  • Americans spend about $86.27 on Halloween every year.
  • Candy Corn, created in the 1880s and sold by Goelitz Confectionery Company (now Jelly Belly Co.), was originally called “Chicken Feed” and the box pictured a colorful rooster.
  • The iconic Michael Myers mask from the movie Halloween is actually a $2 William Shatner as Captain Kirk in Star Trek mask. They spray painted it white and cut the eye holes bigger, and the rest is history

VOTE! IT’S YOUR RIGHT

People have died defending this right. Don’t take it for granted! Voting is more than just electing a candidate, it’s choosing the right policies and people who have your best interests in mind when making decisions that will affect our community, state, and nation. When you vote, you are taking an active role in deciding issues regarding health care, immigration, equal opportunity, voting rights, infrastructure, jobs, education, social security, neighborhood safety, taxes, etc. So, make sure your vote counts this Tuesday, November 3rd!

SAFE TRICK OR TREAT options for the Boyertown area this weekend…

WATCH “The Cast at Glocker” podcast every Wednesday at 6PM at Glocker Realty & Insurance on Facebook or YouTube. Kristin Harp, owner of Gramia’s Restaurant, joined us this week.

Events List

THURSDAY 10/29/2020

FRIDAY 10/30/2020

SATURDAY 10/31/2020

SUNDAY 11/1/2020

MONDAY 11/2/2020

TUESDAY 11/3/2020

WEDNESDAY 11/4/2020

Have safe and happy Halloween!

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If you would like your event posted email me at jeff@glocker.com

For real estate assistance contact Jeff Frederick at jeff@glocker.com or call/text at 610-766-2028

jeff
Jeff Frederick
@twitter.com/JeffatGlocker
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I am a real estate agent with Glocker Realty in Boyertown, PA. I am a father of two and a husband of one. I love my family the most, but I also love the town I grew up and work in. Hence my blog posts.
Jeff knows Boyertown
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