Halloween’s Spooky Origins!

Ahh…cooler nights, falling leaves, and pumpkins on the porch — all dead giveaways that it’s Halloween time! Professional event planner R.T. Clown (310.376.2250) has helped schools, corporations and private residents celebrate since 1985, so we know a thing or two about Halloween. These days, just about everyone associates Halloween with costumes, candy, and children who yell, “Trick or treat!” But Halloween’s roots reach much further into history than many people realize.

Roots in Really Old Europe

Halloween has its roots in ancient European history. According to many historians, Halloween started as part of the ancient Celtic festival of “Samhain,” which celebrated the end of harvest and the beginning of the “darker part of the year.”

Part of Samhain included lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off evil spirits. Participants also burned fruits, vegetables, grain, and possibly animals as offerings to the gods. It’s a time when the veil between the natural and supernatural worlds was at its thinnest. Many Celts believed the dead could walk among the living during Samhain! Today, many historians believe that Halloween’s association with scary creatures, food, and curses began with these pre-Christian customs more than 2,000 years ago.

Halloween in the Anno Domini

As Christianity gained hold in the 8th Century A.D., Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as the day to honor all saints. This became known as All Hallows Eve (and later, Halloween) and included some of Samhain festival traditions. The evening before was a day of trick-or-treating, dressing up in costumes, and carving jack-o-lanterns. These traditions grew around the world, and soon Halloween became synonymous with shorter days, colder nights, gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.

Halloween and R.T. Clown

Halloween is a big deal at R.T. Clown – in fact, we’ve coordinated more than 40,000 successful events since the company was founded! Because R.T. Clown has a full roster of 200+ professional entertainers to call on, we can create great Halloween fun. Want magicians, musicians, superheroes, jugglers, unicyclists, caricaturists, psychics, animal acts, fire eaters, and more? Give R.T. Clown a call at (310) 376-2250, and we’ll get you set up, tout suite! Call NOW for best availability!