Halloween Traditions

The origins of Halloween can be traced to Ireland when the festival of Samhain began around 400 BC. People there believed that on the night of October 31, spirits, ghosts and fairies could cross the boundary between the physical and supernatural worlds. To prevent spirits from entering their homes, people left jack-o'-lanterns and gifts of food outside. When people had to go out, they disguised themselves as animals or monsters to fool the spirits.

Trick or Treating on a cold Halloween in 1933

In Canada, people carved pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, which Irish immigrants found superior to their tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns out of turnips.

In Edmonton, the tradition of children in disguises going door to door with pillowcases to collect treats is as old as the city. Adults gave out nuts, homemade candy, caramel apples and popcorn balls. Homemade costumes often depicted historical figures, prominent Edmontonians, and animals. However, dressing up was not just for children; Halloween balls were huge social events that doubled as fundraisers for charity.

Another Halloween tradition that comes with wearing disguises is mischief. Young adults would unhinge gates, soap windows, swap yard furniture between neighbours and, more dangerously, set outhouses back a metre from their original spot. The norms of the day specified that acceptable pranks were ones that could be rectified with minimal expense or effort. Any destruction of property was strongly condemned. In 1912, the Edmonton Bulletin warned citizens that Halloween was a "recognized night of immunity from punishment" for pranksters, provided that "no serious depredations were committed."

The Edmonton Bulletin, October 31, 1928, contained a message from the police, "Well-soaped windows will greet businessmen and householders Thursday morning, but city police will be on the look-out to make sure no serious damage is done." Having gates unhinged or taken down the street was so common that one enterprising Edmontonian, after trick or treaters ceased coming by, moved a beehive in a box in front of his gate. The homeowner reported that youths came by, but the bees did their job.

Original story posted by Gary Dick to an internal Edmonton website.