This Will Be the First Time Des Moines Kids Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in 86 Years
Every now and then, you read something that, despite being from a reputable news source, you almost don't believe to be true. Then you scour the internet and find dozens more reliable sources confirming what you thought couldn't actually be the case. This is one of those instances.
Would you believe that kids in Des Moines, IA haven't went Trick-or-Treating on Halloween (October 31st) since 1938? That's 86 years of not doing the trademark activity on the holiday. It sounds stranger than fiction, but it's true. And it's going to change this year.
Thursday, October 31st will mark the first Halloween since 1938 that kids in Des Moines will go Trick-or-Treating on the day they're actually supposed to.
Throughout the entire country, going door-to-door for candy on October 31st is a tradition, except in Des Moines. In the 1930s, the city wanted to crack down on what they thought would be a day for "hooliganism," to employ a fun word Scott McFetridge of the Associated Press used in his piece.
Instead, Des Moines children typically wear their costumes and go Trick-or-Treating on Beggars' Night, which is October 30th. The Associated Press also notes that children in Des Moines are expecting to tell a joke before receiving candy.
While kids in Des Moines were supposed to go Trick-or-Treating today (October 30th), heavy rain and thunderstorms in the forecast put a damper on the possible festivities. Consequently, the city of Des Moines moved Trick-or-Treating to October 31st. You know... the day on which it should occur.
Jen Schulte, the Assistant City Manage in Des Moines, was quoted in the aforementioned piece:
To my knowledge, it has never been moved or canceled since it was established after Halloween in 1938. However, the safety of our residents, families and children is always our top priority and led to the change in this year’s scheduled Beggars’ Night. - Jen Schulte, per the Associated Press
Trick-or-Treating in Des Moines typically occurs on "Beggars' Night" (October 30th) and runs from 6pm - 8pm. A West Des Moines resident wasn't even aware that their city was the anomaly.
Read about how Des Moines' unique way of celebrating Halloween on the Associated Press' website.
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Gallery Credit: Tom Ehlers