By Kate Bartlett
Halloween has become one of America’s biggest and most commercialized holidays. Right behind Christmas, Halloween is the second most marketed holiday in the US with the average American spending about $6.9 billion on this Holiday, mostly for candy, costumes, parties and even pets. Here’s some fun Halloween facts and trivia to help celebrate the holiday.
Clarence, NY Holds World Record for Largest Pumpkin
Clarence, NY recorded the world’s largest pumpkin this year, weighing 2,554 pounds on September 30, 2023. Scott Andrus of Williamsville grew the pumpkin breaking both New York and national records. The Great Pumpkin Farm hosts the World Pumpkin Weigh Off, and recorded the first 1,000 pound pumpkin in 1996, making the Guinness Book of World Records. 27 years later, the farm has recorded many more 1,000+ pound pumpkins, many the size of compact cars. It’s definitely a sight to be seen!
Halloween Rooted in Ancient Celtic Festival
Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated on November 1. This marked the end of summer, the harvest, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time that was associated with human death. They believed that on the night before the new year (October 31), the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. To ward off spirits, they lit bonfires and wore costumes. Over time it has evolved to the Halloween we know today, with trick-or-treating, jack o’lanterns and festive gatherings.
Wildwood Sanitarium, Salamanca, NY
here in Salamanca, NY: The Wildwood Sanitarium.
Built in 1900 as an osteopathic hospital, the facility
treated patients that struggled with mental health,
drug and alcohol addiction and later tuberculosis
patients.
Perhaps one of the areas most haunted buildings is here in Salamanca, NY: The Wildwood Sanitarium. Built in 1900 as an osteopathic hospital, the facility treated patients that struggled with mental health, drug and alcohol addiction and later tuberculosis patients. After the doctors passed on, the building underwent multiple phases and was eventually purchased by Laurie Wagatha in 2017 with a goal of restoring the property. In order to raise funds for the restoration, Laurie and her family opened the location to paranormal investigators from around the country. This last year her daughter, Brooke Przystal and her husband, Zachary, took ownership of the property and continued with the paranormal. The location has been featured on many very popular YouTube channels like Exploring with Josh and OmarGoshTV. The location has also been featured on many TV shows like Paranormal Lockdown, America’s Most Terrifying Places, with more coming out this fall. Upcoming events include Trick-or-treating at The Sanitarium (5pm to 8pm) followed by a public investigation (8pm to midnight, $40pp). There will also be public paranormal investigations on November 10th and 11th, $40pp.
The Luck of the Spider
Finding a spider on Halloween is considered good luck in various backgrounds. It is believed that if you encounter a spider on all Hallows Eve, it signifies that a deceased loved on is watching over you. And that black cat myth? Some cultures believe that black cats bring good luck. The black cat resembles an Egyptian cat-goddess, and in other countries they represent prosperity.
History of Trick-or-Treating
And how did trick-or-treating become a tradition? The history traces back to Scotland and Ireland where children went house to house ‘guising’ putting on small performances to be rewarded with food or treats. This dates back to the 16th century, as does the tradition of wearing costumes.
No matter how you celebrate, know that Halloween traditions have deep roots, but have evolved over the years. We hope you have fun making some of your own!