On this day in 1985, Edmonton officials were offering tips on how to have a safe Halloween.
In sharp contrast with the photo that accompanied the story in the Edmonton Journal, which depicted a toddler trying to escape someone in a horrifying chicken mask, the advice being doled out was pretty standard stuff: Wear bright clothes, don't go into a stranger's home, and carry flashlights. The story also noted that more than 100 volunteers were driving around the city to keep an eye on kids during the spooky fun.
The story shows that Halloween traditions have evolved in Edmonton. Celebrations on Oct. 31 have been held in the city since the 1880s, and public Halloween parties and dances date back to 1902.
Trick-or-treating is probably the most iconic part of the holiday, and it began to appear in the city in the 1920s and '30s. Instead of the modern practice of knocking on doors at houses, early trick-or-treaters focused on businesses, especially along Jasper Avenue. "Trick or treat" was less of a catchphrase and more of a threat back then, the implication being that pranks or vandalism would happen if sweets were not forthcoming. Apples were a standard bribe — so much so that local businesses would advertise apple sales before the big night. Other treats included popcorn and nuts.
Of course, the safety of trick-or-treaters was always important. But there was also once a much greater concern about protection from the costumed revellers. Pranks and damage to property were much more common in the first half of the century, and some Halloween nights could get pretty destructive. Often, papers like the Edmonton Bulletin would post stories on Nov. 1 discussing the rowdiness of the previous evening.
After the Second World War, the candy collection became focused less on Jasper Avenue businesses and more on homes in neighbourhoods. This was also the time that pranks and vandalism on Oct. 31 became less common (although they never completely went away).
Recent decades have seen further shifts in Edmonton's Halloween traditions. Going door-to-door for candy is still a practice, but indoor trick-or-treating at malls and other businesses has also become commonplace. The indoor events have become popular with some due to safety concerns and the unpredictable nature of Edmonton's weather in late October.
Other Halloween traditions have taken root in the city in recent times, with elaborate, theatrical haunted houses being one of them. Deadmonton, which got its start in 2014, has grown into the city's largest and most prominent. Other Edmonton institutions have also gotten into the game, with events like DARK at Fort Edmonton Park proving popular. The holiday is now a far cry from just being a night for kids to threaten businesses into handing over apples. It is now closer to a month-long celebration, with pumpkin walks, film festivals, and ghost tours all becoming a part of today's Halloween.
This clipping was found on Vintage Edmonton, a daily look at Edmonton's history from armchair archivist Rev Recluse of Vintage Edmonton.