Halloween is believed to have originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a tradition that welcomed the harvest at the end of summer. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III made November 1 the day to honor saints. However, it later became known as All Saints Day. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve and later, Halloween. One tradition that we carry on today is dressing up in scary costumes. Back then, the Celts believed that they would be terrorized by evil spirits on this day, so to avoid this, they disguised themselves to confuse the spirits and be left alone (Library of Congress Blogs).
Today, Halloween is that special night of the year when every neighborhood you go to transforms into a maze of spooky costumes, eerie decorations, and so much candy it’ll last you through the entire year. Picture yourself with your friends, going from street to street and door to door, shouting “Trick or treat!” Halloween is an unmatched adventure where scaring people isn’t only allowed but also a hundred percent encouraged. And the best part is that no one gets in trouble for it! For me, that’s the best part of Halloween. How could you not love it?
When asked why she likes Halloween, Maddie Baez (9) replied, “I love it–it’s the perfect time to hang out with my friends and to get a ridiculous amount of candy!” This sentiment is shared by many of the students at Yorba Linda High School because, for them, it isn’t just about the costumes and the sweets–it’s about the thrill of the season. Knotts Scary Farm, the scary rendition of Knott’s Berry Farm, is a huge part of this shared excitement. Here, live actors, haunted mazes, and terrifying scare zones leave every visitor on their toes. The adrenaline rush of wandering through the mazes, constantly looking back, and ensuring you’re not about to be scared, keeps teens returning every year. For many of us, it isn’t just about being afraid; it’s about the memories we make with our friends.
However, many adults seem to dread Halloween. What would normally be a carefree day of collecting candy and having fun scaring/pranking people has been clouded by concerns after the pandemic. Since the horrid events of 2020, COVID-19 has made going door-to-door less fun and much more risky; who would want to worry about their candy being infected? COVID isn’t the only thing causing adults to be concerned. There is a rise in fentanyl-laced candy. Since 2022, there has been a rise in reports about this dangerous drug making its way into candy bars. Parents have become more on edge about letting their kids trick or treat.
Despite the growing concerns surrounding Halloween, there is no denying this holiday is still full of excitement and fun. Many adults will approach Halloween cautiously; however, it’s the one night when we can dress up in wild costumes, scare our friends, and roam the streets while collecting a ton of candy without getting judged.
