Every year on the 31st October; Halloween in the USA brings people together to celebrate the creatures of the night. Outrageous costumes, the houses decorated with skeletons, spider webs and jack-o lanterns, haunted houses, street parties and jaw dropping parades. Every city showcases their own creative flair bringing the creatures of the night to life.
Correct me if I am wrong; but in my opinion Halloween is not widely celebrated here in Australia. You may get the odd child from your street knocking on your door for a trick or treat; however in Halloween in the USA is a right of passage. The events that take place on the 31st October get bigger and better each year.
How did Halloween in the USA begin?
Some believe that Halloween may have begun with Samhain; which was one of the biggest celebrations of the Celtic People. This festival marked the end of growing season and the start of winter; the people would have huge bon fires, wear masks like animals and tell stories of what could be. American Colonies were developed and they were heavily influenced by many different cultures. Halloween became more of a party; people would dress up in lavish costumes; tell scary stories and wander the streets asking their friendly neighbor’s for food or any money they could spare.
The Americas thought this was a fun idea and ran with the same tradition which evolved into trick-or-treating. As you can imagine; the idea of playing a trick on someone was much more appealing than a treat; and in the 1920’s became a bit of a nuisance. Tricks became so extravagant and often caused damage to people properties, which became awfully expensive. Trying to stop the destruction; Local communities began organising fun fairs, street parties and celebrations to turn the even into a family friendly atmosphere.
Halloween is extremely popular in all cities in America, the entire month of October is filled with preparing for parties, preparing costumes, haunted houses and decorating your front yard. Streets are shut down by councils to pave the way for ghosts, gremlins, and goblins to come out and play.
Costumes
Costumes like everything else have evolved over the years; to be more and more elaborate. Costumes used to consist of monsters, ghosts and devils which were designed to scare spirits away. Now days the adults dress up are their favourite celebrity, politicians usually make and appearance or simply a mythical creature. You can not just go as yourself; this will not be tolerated as the costume is all apart of the experience.
Pumpkin carving
Pumpkin carving has been around a long time; however do you know how it started? With a man named Jack; he could not enter heaven because of his greed; and he could not enter hell because he played trick on the devil. Jack walked alone until judgement day. The Irish used to carve scary faces into vegetables representing the spirit if Jack of Lantern. The Pumpkin lantern has been an icon of Halloween; for many countries all around the world however the Americans take it to an all new level. On every street corner; of every suburb you will find a pumpkin stall. Specifically for people to pick the pumpkins to carve their scary faces into.
Wherever you are in America you will find yourself a Halloween party, parade, or haunted house. Each city has their own unique traditions and Spooktacular events.
6 Festivals that you should check out
Festival of the Dead – Salem Massachusetts
Salem has had a long and gruesome history; involving witch hunts and trials. As tribute to their past they host one of the largest Halloween parades in the country.
Village Halloween parade
Usually held in Greenwich village Manhattan spilling out into surrounding neighborhoods encouraging everyone to come together and celebrate the festival. Jam packed with activities, events, parties, and the parade of all parades, composed of giant puppets and skeletons.
Sleepy Hollow Halloween – NYC
This place gives you the chills form the start; are you familiar with the bone chilling legend of the headless horseman? Sleepy Hollow is believed to be his birthplace. Then you add a graveyard to the mix which apparently has a crypt of the Vampire Barnabas Collins. Sleepy Hollow sets the perfect scene for a ghostly evening.
The Harvest Festival in California
Harvest festival in Southern California is quite the spectacle; carnival rides, face painting, costume contests, haunted houses/trails and the best is the giant corn maze. This festival is a great place for families to experience the Spooktacular events of Halloween.
Huge Halloween Parties held on Santa Monica Boulevard California
This amazing party draws over half a million people to Santa Monica Boulevard; to embrace the night with outrageous costumes, live bands. You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a celebrity.
Emma Crawford Festival – Manitou Springs Colorado
Held on the weekend prior to Halloween and is an annual event in the memory of Emma Crawford. A pianist who moved to the Springs; in the hope that the springs had a healing powers and would cure her tuberculosis. Unfortunately, she died 2 years later; coffin races are held in her honor; yes you read it right. I suppose it is not that weird when we have dunny (toilet) races here in Australia. Four people dressed up as mourners; push their coffin/car as fast as they can to the finish line.
There are so many parties and celebrations that take place all around the country. You could book a specific trip to see one of these events; or if you are lucky enough to be in the USA on Halloween. It is almost certain that wherever you are you will find yourself a Halloween spectacular. This year (2020) things will differ slightly due to the pandemic; however that just gives the communities more time to plan, a bigger and better Halloween event for next year.
The atmosphere, the energy of Halloween in America is contagious. People of all ages are encouraged to get involved; paint your face, dress up in an extravagant costume and escape reality just for one night.
