The short version of how Halloween got started:
People a long, long time ago in Ireland celebrated the end of summer and the harvest with a festival that marked the transition of seasons with a bonfire. Since this was a long time ago, they mistakenly thought the change of season meant dead people were closer on this night and that is where the ghosts and goblins associated with Halloween come from. The costumes and jack-o-lanterns helped scare away the ghosts and goblins.
Once the Irish immigrated to America, they brought bits and pieces of this celebration with them and when it mixed with the traditions of other immigrants and the Native Americans, Halloween became more of a community event where people told stories and performed pranks.
Eventually, the tricks got out of hand, so parents and community leaders made a push for the event to be more about the treats. Kids began going door to door to request treats from neighbors who were keen on giving treats instead of being subjected to a trick!
Thus, an Irish pagan turned religious holiday, ended up being commercialized into a fun holiday that encourages communities to spend time together to celebrate the start of Autumn.
HALLOWEEN TODAY —
Today, Halloween is a multi-billion dollar industry, second only to Christmas. Most people either live in a Halloween neighborhood that goes all out for the holiday or they do not, so they drive to a neighborhood that goes all out. Many neighbors compete to outdo the others with the best decorations on the block.
The American version is now being celebrated in places like Canada, Great Britain, & Australia. Many Western European nations celebrate Halloween but without the trick or treating, concentrating on the costumes and parties.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, it is fun to go against the grain for one day. Parents actually encourage their kids to be someone else and go to strangers doors to ask for candy. Think about that! The neighborhoods who go all out for Halloween have an endearing quality that encourages neighbors to come out and get to know each other. Halloween is more than scary decorations, costumes, and candy. Halloween is about community and the most precious members of our communities, the children.
Trick-or-treating skyrocketed in popularity by the 1950s, when Halloween became a true national event. Today, over 179 million Americans celebrate the holiday — and spend about $9.1 billion on it per year, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s a lot of miniature candy bars!
A Few Things to Do Over the Weekend
Sep 24 -Oct 31 Mahaffy Ranch Harvest Festival Mahaffy Ranch 10362 HIGHWAY 241 COOS BAY, OR http://Mahaffyranch.Com/
October 1-31 Savor Cannon Beach Wine & Culinary Festival Cannon Beach, Oregon https://savorcannonbeach.com/
10/30, 3 PM Video Wave, 1515 Oregon Coast Hwy Reedsport
10/31 ‘Ghoul’ Beach Trick Or Treat Sun, 3 – 5 PM Event Center on the Beach, 29392 Ellensburg Ave Gold Beach,
10/30 Oswald West Action Day: Clean Up & Costume Contest 12:00 – 2:30 PM Oswald West State Park Arch Cape, OR
Haunted Taft Tours. Guides lead guests through Lincoln City’s most spooky locales. 10/31. $25. Ages 8+. See HauntedTaft.com
Check your local Chamber of Commerce pages too as lots of businesses and restaurants have things going too.
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween Weekend