Yes, it may be August, but it's also time to start planning your PTO for all the fun you'll be having in October!

Why Do We Celebrate Halloween?

Over the past few years, Halloween has really grown in popularity commercially, and truthfully, I love it. It's the one time of year I can go shopping and find home decor.  However, before Halloween became the commercialized holiday we know today, the history of the holiday dates back thousands of years.

According to History, Halloween actually dates back around 2,000 years ago to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.  During this festival, people would wear costumes and light bonfires to ward off spirits.

In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes, and eating treats.

 

- History

Today, the Halloween season is filled with events, and did you know that there is a week-long Halloween festival in Indiana?

The History of Indiana's Week-Long Halloween Festival

Located in Indianapolis is the historic district of Irvington.  Each year, Irvington hosts the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival.  This festival dates back nearly 100 years, to 1927, when the festival started as a parade of costumes for adults and children.

The festival went on and off for several years, but it wasn't until 1970 that the festival would return for good.

Witches, banshees, and little goblins would not return to Irvington until Saturday, October 31, 1970, when windows in the business district were once again filled with images of Halloween.

The full festival history is quite fascinating; you can find it here. 

The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival

These days, the festival is more than just a one-night parade, it's a 7-day festival filled with Halloween-themed events each day.

This year, the festival will take place from October 18th to 25th. The festival draws in more than 80,000 people annually.  You can see the full lineup of events on the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival website.