Crunch, crunch, crunch. There are more leaves in shades of brown and yellow on the ground than on the trees, and the frosty air bites at exposed fingers and noses, turning them red and numb. It is mid-autumn and the end of October. This can only mean one thing—Halloween!
Halloween originated 2,000 years ago at the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who occupied the area of modern-day Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated the New Year on Nov. 1. This day marked the end of the summer and the harvest and the beginning of the oncoming cold winter, a time associated with death. Samhain was celebrated Oct. 31, when ghosts of the dead returned to the earth. The spirits’ presence was thought to make it easier for Celtic priests to prophesize about the future. To commemorate this phenomenon people gathered around sacred bonfires, dressed in costumes that typically consisted of animals skins, sacrificed animals and tried to tell each other’s fortunes.
By 43 C.E. Romans had conquered most of Celtic territory and ruled the lands for 400 years.During this time two Roman festivals were combined with Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October that commemorated the passing of the dead. The other was a day to honor the goddess of fruit and trees, Pomona.
By the 800s, Christianity spread to the area, and in the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV appointed Nov. 1 as All Saints’ Day.
It is widely believed that the pope was attempting to replace the ‘pagan’ Celtic festival with a church-sanctioned holiday. This celebration was also known as All-hallows from the Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day. The night before, became known as All-hallows Eve and eventually Halloween.
Pumpkins, ghouls, events, oh my!
Pumpkin Patches
Habitat for Humanity
3601 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton
(303) 794-6851
stjameslittleton.org
What’s there: Pick your favorite Oct. 31.
Calvary Temple
2630 E. Cedar Ave., Denver
(720) 570-0852
What’s there: Pumpkins $6, $10 and $20, gourds, pie pumpkins. Proceeds benefit the Calvary Temple.
Corn Maze
Crazed Corn Field Maze
104th Avenue and McKay Road, Thorton
(303) 913-5947
crazedcornfieldmaze.com
What’s there: 14-acre maze open daily through Oct. 31.
Harvest Farm Maze
4240 E. County Road 66, Wellington
(970) 568-9488
HarvestFarm.net
What’s there: Three-mile corn maze. Open Tuesdays through Sundays until Oct. 31 and weekends through Nov. 19.
Nightlife
Thriller on the Roof
Vinyl 1082 Broadway, Denver
(303) 832-8628
What’s there: Oct. 30, enter the Michael Jackson costume contest in honor of the King of Pop. Free entrance with a costume. No cover charge for ladies until 11 p.m. 21 and up.
Naughty Tricks & Sexy Treats
The Church Nightclub 1160 Lincoln St., Denver
(303) 832-8628
What’s there: Oct. 30, costume party ages 18 and up, normal cover charge.
Halloween Featuring Manufactured Superstars
Beta Nightclub 1909 Blake St., Denver
(303) 383-1909
What’s there: Oct. 31, Halloween party $10 cover, 18 and up.
Boo at the Zoo
Denver Zoo 2300 Steele St., Denver
(303) 376-6741
What’s there: Open Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., regular admission.
