6 Facts About Halloween

Halloween is here! Halloween is the time to get dressed up in your most creative costumes, go trick or treating, carve pumpkins, and so much more. But, have you ever wondered where these traditions came from?

Today's blog shares some history and facts behind the holiday of Halloween! 

1. Candy Corn Was Originally Called Chicken Feed 

Because corn is what is used to feed chickens, the creation of the colorful candy was called "Chicken Feed" at first. 

2. Trick or Treating Comes From "Souling" 

It was once believed that people would dress up in costumes in effort to repel the spirits. 

3. Halloween Originated From an Ancient Celtic Festival 

According to History.com, Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. 

4. Halloween Is the Second Largest Commercial Holiday

Following Christmas, Halloween is the second largest holiday. According to the National Retail Foundation, consumers spent approximately $9 billion on Halloween in 2019. 

5. Illinois Produces Up to 5 More Pumpkins Than Any Other State

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Illinois farms typically grow more than 500 million pounds of pumpkins annually. 

6. The Fastest Pumpkin Carver

Stephen Clarke holds the Guinness Book of World Records for carving a pumpkin in 16.47 seconds back in October of 2013. 

We hope you have a happy, and safe Halloween! 

Sources:
10 Fun Facts you Didn't Know About Halloween 
25 Fun and Scary Halloween Facts to Trick (or Treat) Your Friends