Trick-or-treaters in Des Moines, Iowa, have made their rounds on Beggars’ Night, the day before Halloween, since 1939. Now kids seeking candy will go out on Halloween itself.
Projected storms in the area led Des Moines officials to move trick-or-treating to the day it traditionally happens in most of the U.S., city officials announced Tuesday.
They’ll go through neighborhoods from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
In addition to the earlier date, celebrations in the Des Moines area traditionally had kids tell a joke or do some other performance instead of saying “trick or treat,” according to the Des Moines Register.
It was an attempt to stop youth hooliganism following a spate of vandalism incidents on Halloween in 1938. One published admonition during World War II in 1942 said, “Kids! Don’t Help the Axis on Halloween,” as a way to encourage the adoption of the then-new tradition.
Trick-or-treating in Des Moines has stayed on Beggars’ Night every year since then.
“To my knowledge, it has never been moved or canceled since it was established after Halloween in 1938. However, the safety of our residents, families and children is always our top priority and led to the change in this year’s scheduled Beggars’ Night,” Des Moines Assistant City Manager Jen Schulte told The Associated Press.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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