Nope, I’m not rushing it. You know we’ve all seen the candy corn in the stores since August. During back –to-school shopping, my son asked me if Halloween City (a seasonal store that stocks nothing but Halloween stuff) had its own zip code. But I know it’s a shock. You’ve just gotten over the back to school rush and bang, Halloween is in your face.
Have no fear. I’m going to ease you ever so slowly into the season of masquerades, harvest festivals, hay rides and apple picking.
Halloween is a holiday that has grown in proportion year after year. But did you know, and you would, if you watched the History Channel like I do. J
Five Fun Facts about Halloween that I learned from the History Channel.
- One quarter of all the candy sold annually in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween.
- The heaviest pumpkin weighed 1,810 lb 8 oz and was presented by Chris Stevens at the Stillwater Harvest Fest in Stillwater, Minnesota, in October 2010.
- Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead in Mexico) festivities often feature breads, candies and other foods in the shape of skulls and skeletons.
- The colors orange and black, normally associated with Halloween, represent the harvest (orange) and the approaching winter (black).
- In Ireland, a traditional food eaten on Halloween is barnbrack, a type of fruitcake. A muslin-wrapped treat is baked inside the cake that, they say, can foretell the eater’s future.
Halloween is a holiday that is steeped in traditions that come to us from different countries and cultures. Its rich history and entertaining details add a dimension to the holiday that goes beyond costumes and candy.
Or you can stick with the costumes and candy and just have fun!! 🙂
wlynnchantale says
I did not know the last four of those facts, but now I do. 🙂 Great post.
Dahlia DeWinters says
Hey there W Lynn! Glad I could pass on some more trivia today! 🙂
Nikki Prince says
Very interesting facts.
Dahlia DeWinters says
There’s tons more, but I made myself stop at just five. 🙂
Mary Roya says
Halloween does have a very rich and interesting history. I didn’t know why the colors were orange and black, very interesting. Is the barnbrack like the King’s Cake? A little baby or coin if you get it in your piece you have good luck for the year? Very fun blog.
Dahlia DeWinters says
Mary, I thought the same thing when I heard that. It’s so interesting how some of the customs for holidays overlap, isn’t it? But I much prefer the King Cake to the barnbrack, especially with frosting! Thank you for stopping by!