October 16, 2024
This time of year screams its arrival. From the gentle showering of multicolored leaves to the gradual adornment of Halloween-time homes, Autumn is a time of remembering what has passed while also celebrating the here and now. While enjoying the outdoors and the many activities you can experience with your loved ones leading up to Halloween, consider what this holiday means to you.
Halloween originated in Ireland as the holiday of Samhain, the Celtic New Year. On this day, it was believed that the ethereal curtain between worlds was lifted and those who had passed were welcome to walk freely on the living plane. Jack-O-Lanterns found their start as carved turnips and squash, made to look terrifying in hopes of warding off the darker spirits. Similarly, the Celts would create towering bonfires and dance around them through the darkest hours of the night, casting light onto the spirits that they believed surrounded them.
The name “Halloween” wasn’t popularized until 1786 when Scottish poet Robert Burns published his poem of the same name. Halloween, along with its lore and traditions was brought to America when Scottish and Irish immigrants arrived, circa 1850. The celebration of Halloween was sprinkled throughout the states until a spark ignited in the 1950s and the commercialization of Halloween caused the holiday to become the focal point of Autumn-time celebrations.
This Autumn the wind may race through the trees and shower the leaves, now passed, all around you. The chill of the cold winter to come may bite at your skin. The smell of bonfires, built instinctually to brighten our way through the coming darkness, may cling to your clothes. Being in the present moment, being thankful for what is and what was, and soaking in all our surroundings are the reasons for this season. This season, be sure to celebrate with those you love and attend as many local Halloween functions as you can!
October 19th
The First Inaugural Tacoma Halloween Parade
Taking place on East McKinley Way in Tacoma, the street fair begins at 2:00 pm followed by the Halloween parade at 6:30 pm.
October 19th and 26th
Boo-coda in Bucoda
October 19th come to Bucoda for a full day of activities and shopping. Each weekend will feature a Haunted Market with food, art and goods vendors, crafting stations, and live music. The highlight of the day will be the annual casket races. Teams of pallbearers and “corpses” will race to the finish line in homemade caskets in hopes of winning the grand prize. Races begin at 1:00 pm.
October 26th head down to Bucoda for the Thrill the World Dance, a global event inviting Thriller groups from all over the world to perform the dance simultaneously. The dance begins at 3:00 pm with registration and practice beginning at 1:30 pm.
October 29th
The Spooky Trail at Cochrane Park
Visit Yelm this Halloween and take part in this one-night-only stroll around Cochrane Park. This is a family-friendly event, sure to deliver spooks rather than scares. The trail is open from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.
