The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils and hobgoblins. In the United States, the first official citywide Halloween celebration occurred in Anoka, Minn., in 1921. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. Today, many of the young and “young-at-heart” take a more light-spirited approach. They don scary disguises or ones that may bring on smiles when they go door-to-door for treats or attend or host a Halloween party.

“Trick or Treat!”
36.1 million
The estimated number of potential “trick-or-treaters” in 2005 — 5- to 13-year-olds — across the United States, which declined by 284,000 from 2004. Of course, many other children — older than 13, and younger than age 5 — also go trick-or-treating. <http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2005-sa.html>

108 million
Number of occupied housing units across the nation — all potential stops for “trick-or-treaters.” <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/historic/histt15.html>

Jack O’ Lanterns and Pumpkin Pies
1.1 billion pounds
Total production of major pumpkin-producing states in 2005. Illinois led the country by producing 497 million pounds of the vined orange gourd. Pumpkin patches in California, Ohio and Pennsylvania also provided lots of pumpkins: each state produced at least 100 million pounds. The value of all pumpkins produced by major pumpkin-producing states was $106 million. <http://www.usda.gov/nass/>

Where to Spend Halloween?
Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood are: