Halloween in America!!

31 October 2011

Jack-O-lanterns at 'Trunk or Treat'

"Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats." (Halloween: History.com)

My girl, Karlie

First of all, this day is my eldest daughter Karlie's birthday!!  Happy Birthday Karlie.  We are so far apart at the moment, but we are thinking of you all the time, especially today.!

When Karlie was born, it was still spring in Adelaide, but this particular year (1987), it was very hot.  Karlie was actually due about the 7 November, but the days leading up to her birth were uncomfortable.  She decided to help me out and came a week early being born on the 31st October, the temperature was 38C (100.4 F).  Halloween is not generally celebrated in Australia, (the seasons are opposite!) but over the years it is gradually becoming more and more accepted.   Karlie took advantage of this when she turned sixteen, with a great party with the Halloween theme.  A lot of decorating, and a lot of fun. 



A Harvest display at Wal-Mart

And now, we have experienced for ourselves an American Halloween.  We have discovered it to be a very serious event here.  Weeks leading up to Halloween, the stores are full of displays and decorations to celebrate this 'Harvest' season and Halloween.  There are pumpkins for sale at last!!!  All year I have missed pumpkin with only the 'Butternut squash' being available.  (Not the best for roasting..)  Now, pumpkins, big, very round and orange are everywhere.  Not only the 'carving' pumpkins  but ornamental ones too!



A front yard display in our street!

 I have noted how people decorate their homes for the seasons.  Inside, spring, autumn decore is added,  and likewise for the front porches.  Halloween is no exception with goulish displays, complete with pumpkins!! 

I asked my friend Heather one day what they do with the pumpkins, besides carving them.  And she said they just throw them away!!  I was astonished.  NO!! It seems the poor pumpkin is only fit for pumpkin pie or as a decoration, carved out with a candle!!  I in turn, have been met with surprise as I have described all the ways you can EAT a pumpkin!!!  (I apologise for rambling on about my FAVOURITE vegetable!! especially roasted!!)

However, we were excited to see Halloween unfold and to experience it!

It began on Friday night at the chapel with a ward dinner, a 'jack-o-lantern' competition and 'trunk or treat'.  We arrived just a little late after dropping Sarah off to cheer at the football game, but loved the activity.  Many people were dressed in costume and dinner was all you can eat chilli or burrito's with desserts.  The winner of the 'jack'-o-lantern' was announced and then came the main event, the 'trunk or treat'.  Not at all sure exactly what this was, we followed the crowd out into the car park, where trunks (the car boot) were opened and many were displayed with spiders webs, jack-o-lanterns, torches, witches etc.  Children (of all sizes) went from trunk to trunk in the darkness, with their pumpkin buckets or other container and collected treats!  It was a lot of fun to watch!  And what a happy, fun family event..

'Trunk or Treat' excitement!  Watch out!! 

Sarah as 'Ariel'

Sarah meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon, was involved in the Columbine annual 'Trick or Treat Street' at the High School.  Here corridors of the school are transformed into a maze of fantasy worlds of mostly Disney and Storybook characters.  Each group is given a section to transform.  Sarah's JV Cheer team chose the theme from the movie 'UP', so when the kids walked through, it was a world of sky and balloons and floating houses.  The girls themselves dressed up in a Disney character and handed out candy to the 'trick or treaters' that came.  This is in fact a popular event each year, and the line of waiting costumed children and parents went out of the school grounds and way down the street.  A lot of fun again!  Sarah went as Ariel and looked great!! 

On Saturday night she disappeared to a Halloween Party of course!!  Again, it was a lot of fun for her.

On Monday night, we did prepare ourselves for the neighbourhood trick or treaters.  We were warned that if our porch light was on, to expect between 50-70 children between 6.00 and 8.00pm.  When we ran out of lollies, just to turn the light off. 

Our neighbours and friends!
 (Photographed with enthusiastic permission!)

Sure enough, the witching hour came and children of all ages rang our door bell with a watchful adult not far away in most cases, dressed dramatically for the night.  Buckets were laden with loot!  I know this is a 'pagan' tradition, but what a lot of fun for children, something to really look forward to every year, especially when the whole neighbourhood participates.



And that was Halloween!  A celebration that also signals the Harvest Season, as the end of autumn comes, and preparation for the cold winter months ahead begins.