ASK AN ADVISOR: How can I celebrate Halloween this year?

Pumpkins in fall

Pumpkins in fall

Question:

We do not celebrate Halloween in my country. How do people celebrate it here in St. Louis?

Answer:  

As the weather has slowly turned colder, across campus excitement has been building for all sorts of Fall things: pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider, and everyone’s favorite spooky holiday, Halloween!
Halloween is an annual holiday that is celebrated on October 31st. It originated with an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Over time, the holiday evolved into a day for things like pumpkin carving, costume contests, and trick-or-treating.

For kids, trick or treating is the best part of Halloween! Kids dress up in their Halloween costumes and go door-to-door saying “Trick or Treat!” and collecting candy from their neighbors.  St. Louis, however, has added a unique twist to the tradition. Kids cannot just say “Trick or Treat”- they also have to tell a joke in order to earn their candy! The jokes don’t have to be especially funny – it is the effort that counts! Here are some examples of a joke you might hear from a St. Louis trick-or-treater:

            “What does a skeleton always say before eating? Bone appétit.”

            “What is a witch’s favorite class? Spell-ing.”

            “What is a ghost’s favorite dessert? Booberry Pie.”

If you are a bit too old for trick-or-treating, there are still plenty of fun ways to celebrate Halloween in St. Louis. The theme park Six Flags has a “Fright Fest” during the month of October if you are interested in the scarier side of Halloween. For those who want to stay away from the scary stuff, check out Boo at the Zoo, Halloween Nights at Grant’s Farm, or visit Eckerts Family Farm for hay rides, pumpkin picking, and other Fall activities. And for some late-night fun, check out the Legendary Central West End Halloween Party.

Written By: Claire Seely, International Student & Scholar Advisor