Happy Halloween!

Did you know that Halloween came from the Gaelic festival Samhain? It was celebrated on November 1st as a way to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Over some 2,000 years, it shifted and became a commercial holiday after immigrants brought it over to the ‘new world’ from the 1600s to the 1800s. After the influx of Irish immigrants during the USA’s colonization, candy bigwigs like Lifesavers, Beech-Nut, and Curtiss are the second biggest influence on Halloween as we know it. 

This is because candy companies realized trick-or-treating could be very lucrative for them in the 1950s. Between attractive themed packaging and a focus on single-item packaging for safety, candy was a growing market after most folks went without sugar during WWII. According to candy expert historian Beth Kimmerle, the marketing message from candy companies in the 1950s was, “If you buy the right candy, you won’t get tricked.” Candy ads from the ’50s and ’60s indirectly guarantee safety from pranks, razors, or mystery drugs if only you buy the right brand. 

Interestingly, the candy industry single handedly carries Halloween as a commercial holiday – over $3 billion is spent each year on Halloween candy just in the U.S.A. 

If you’re looking for your own Halloween score, consider Truck or Treat in Blountstown, Cutest Costume Contest in Marianna, Trunk or Treat in Bristol, or Final Friday in Chattahoochee. 

There’s no shortage of fun events happening across the Panhandle tonight, but what about tomorrow? Look no further than the Fountain based Decker Training Facility. They’ll be hosting Boo at the Track tomorrow, November 1st from 12pm-4pm. The event will have 20+ local business vendors, raffles, kids activities, food, and all day open ride on the track. Learn more by visiting their Facebook page.