NEWARK, NJ – Halloween, a festival of ancient origins, has firmly rooted itself in the cultural fabric of America. Its celebration each year reminisces the mingling of old-world traditions and the forging of new-world identities. New Jersey, with its rich history and diverse populace, showcases a unique blend of Halloween festivities that mirror its colonial past and modern-day charm.
But why do we do it? Why are we obsessed with everything Halloween? Why do we care more about our outfits on Halloween than those we wear to work? Why do we binge watch the Halloween movie series and other horror classics? Why do we engorge ourselves with candy?
The answer is simple: it’s a fantastic holiday unlike any other in New Jersey.
The tradition of Halloween was carried to the American shores by immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, bringing along the age-old Celtic festival of Samhain. This festival marked the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter, when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to blur. Over time, Halloween evolved, intertwining with other cultural and religious practices, and became a community-centric celebration full of fun, fright, and frolic.
In the Garden State, Halloween resonates with a unique charm, reflecting its historical journey and the collective imagination of its residents. Towns across New Jersey come alive with pumpkin patches, haunted hayrides, and community costume parades, each narrating its tale of the state’s historical tapestry.
New Jersey is a great state for Halloween. It comes as the leaves are falling, the fields are drying out, the nights are crisp and cool, all adding to the eerie mystique of the day.
The tradition of donning costumes on Halloween draws from the ancient belief of warding off evil spirits. As the veil between worlds thinned, costumes were thought to disguise the living from malevolent spirits. Today, this tradition continues as children and adults alike revel in the joy of becoming someone or something else, even if just for a night.
The playful act of trick-or-treating has its roots in the medieval practice of “souling” or “guising”, where individuals would go from door to door, offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food or money. Modern trick-or-treating is a more light-hearted continuation of this tradition, filled with anticipation and mirth for children as they go about the neighborhood.
Halloween’s spooky ambiance sets the perfect stage for horror movies, satisfying a human curiosity for the unknown and the eerie. The adrenaline rush and the communal experience of facing fear, even if fictitious, draw audiences closer, making horror movies a staple of Halloween celebrations.
New Jersey’s history, from its colonial past to its industrial boom, adds layers to the Halloween narrative, making it a significant event in the state’s social calendar. The old colonial homes and historic landmarks provide a tangible connection to the past, making Halloween in New Jersey a unique blend of history, culture, and community celebration.