THE PUMPKIN STORY

The holiday we know as Halloween began over 2,000 years ago with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. You can find more fascinating information about it online. In the 1800s, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their Halloween traditions to America. Today, Halloween combines ancient customs, folklore, and modern fun.

Have you ever wondered why the pumpkin is such a big part of Halloween? It all started in Ireland, where people once carved turnips into lanterns to scare away evil spirits. These were called Jack-o’-lanterns, inspired by the legend of Stingy Jack, a man doomed to wander the Earth with only a glowing coal inside a hollowed-out turnip.

When Irish immigrants came to America, they discovered that pumpkins were bigger, brighter, and easier to carve. The tradition quickly took root, and the pumpkin became the new face of Halloween.

Today, carving pumpkins is less about superstition and more about creativity and family fun, celebrating the beauty of the season—just like the pumpkins my camera picked up!

Enjoy and share!