A safe Halloween from Ocala Home Guide Realty to all our friends and neighbors.
Halloween has a history dating back over 2000 years. It began as a celebration by the Celts, an ancient people who lived in the British Isles and Northern France. They believed that the time line that separated one year from another blurred the border between the land of the living and the land of the dead. Therefore, the spirits of the dead were able to return to the world of the living for a time. So these ancient people lit great bonfires, danced and reveled to welcome their departed family members back to their world.
Centuries later, the Romans conquered the Celts and added a celebration of the harvest to Halloween. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III declared All Saints Day to be annually celebrated on November the 1st. From that point forward, the Celtic celebration was held on October 31st, the day before the Pope’s new holiday.
The celebration was brought to our continent by people escaping Europe in search of religious freedom. However, early immigrants were devout Protestants with stringent religious beliefs. Therefore, they shied away from celebrations of visits from the land of the dead. As a result, the holiday of Halloween made modest inroads in Maryland only. However, over the centuries it evolved and new traditions came to be. For example, pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating became festive elements of the celebration. By the 1800s, the holiday had become a national event in the United States and Canada.
The Joyful Celebration of Halloween
Halloween is renowned for joyful, scary adventures for children of all ages. As parents or grandparents, we look forward to visits to pumpkin patches, haunted houses and trick-or-treating events designed to put smiles of delight on the faces of the children in our lives. Additionally, while we may be shy about admitting it, the child in each of us looks forward to Halloween adventures and the wonderful memories they evoke.
But this year is different and many organizations have postponed fun events we have enjoyed in the past. In Ocala, agencies have deferred the traditional October art fair and the Fort King haunted trail. They have also chosen not to present Spooky Springs at Silver Springs State Park and The Dark Side of Appleton theme tour. Unfortunately, many other adventures will not return until next year as well. Having a safe Halloween is at the forefront.
This year, the emphasis must clearly be on keeping everyone, from young children to grandparents, safe and healthy. But that doesn’t mean that we must give up seeing wondrous smiles on the faces of our children. We can still enjoy traditions like costumed parties, candy treats, fall decorations and spooky houses. We can create our own spooky environment in our homes and select music to enhance the effect. Then all we have to do is add candy, virtual visits from grandparents and friends and a happy attitude. Stir well and you have a perfect recipe for a fun Halloween!
How is Halloween unfolding for you? What have you planned to ensure that you see bright, sunny smiles on your children’s faces this year?
Please enjoy reading the articles below to learn how to celebrate Halloween safely. Of course, please also remember that Ocala Home Guide Realty is always delighted to help you with all your real estate needs:
Halloween & COVID-19: Have Fun While Staying Safe
Some Halloween traditions may look different this year, as helping everyone to have a safe Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic is of primary concern. But families can still have fun celebration, while avoiding the scare of being exposed to or spreading the virus. See ideas and tips. Read the article on Healthychildren.org >
How to Hand Out Halloween Candy Safely This Year, If You Choose to Do It
Safety guidelines from the CDC discourage Americans from taking part in traditional trick-or-treating. They have done so to protect us from the riskiest traditions during the novel Coronavirus pandemic. Infectious disease experts say the most significant risk in trick-or-treating is spending time in close contact with others. Therefore, we must avoid close contact with those who don’t live in your home. Read the article on goodhousekeeping.com >
This Website Gauges Safety of Trick-or-Treating Nationwide
A new website can help families nationwide gauge the risk of trick-or-treating this Halloween. Additionally, it offers alternative activities to keep the holiday fun and entertaining amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the article on baynews9.com >
A safe Halloween to all. Enjoy the adventure!
Andrew Kruglanski, Broker
Ocala Home Guide Realty, LLC
(352)234-3048
andy.k@ocalahomes.online
Website: Ocala Homes Online