10 Fun Halloween Facts
October 20, 2013Halloween Tidbits
The fall leaves are dancing in the air and blanketing our lawns just in time for those spooky trick-or-treaters to stop by for a visit. Have a Happy Halloween and enjoy these 10 fun facts about the holiday that brings out the kid in all of us!
1. Just in time for Halloween, the 23rd annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off recently took place in California's Napa Valley where the worlds largest pumpkin ever broke a previous world record. Lumber salesman Tim Mathison's pumpkin weighed in at an astounding 2,032 pounds! That shatters the previous record set by Ron Wallace of Rhode Island. Just last year, his pumpkin set the world record weighing in at 2,009 pounds. Mathison grew his pumpkin in his backyard for 105 days!
2. Halloween was brought to the United States in the 1800's by immigrants from Scotland and Ireland.
3. Back in the day, Jack O’Lanterns were first made out of turnips or beets!
4. What is Samhainophobia you ask? Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween and some who have this phobia develop panic attacks because if it.
5. The day of the year that the most candy is sold is October 28th!
6. Christmas is the highest grossing commercial holiday but Halloween is a close second!
7. The word Halloween is a shortened version of the phrase All Hallows' Even or All Hallows' Eve.
8. According to the National Retail Federation, it is predicted that Americans will spend approximately $ 6.9 billion on Halloween costumes, candy, and decorations this year!
9. The National Confectioners Association reports that 72% of Americans say that chocolate is their favorite Halloween treat.
10. It is estimated that over 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year. (About 9 billion pieces!)