By Christian Muniz
College of Southern Nevada students make plans for Halloween, some with a nod to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in Ireland, United Kingdom and Northern France, celebrated its new year on Nov. 1, according to the History Channel on A&E. The end of October marked end of summer’s harvest and the beginning of cold, dark winter – a time of year often associated with human death. On Oct. 31, in the festival it was believed the ghosts of the dead returned to Earth. The Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off those ghosts. This was the beginnings of the traditions we celebrate today.
CSN student Michaela Briggs said, “I have loved Halloween ever since I was younger: absolutely loved it. One of the earliest memories of Halloween – maybe 2004 or 2005 – was just looking outside to my childhood neighborhood and seeing so many kids dressed up and going house to house. It was just so lively and fun.” Briggs doesn’t dress up anymore but enjoys going out trick-or-treating with her nephew.
Serenity Logan, CSN student, said, “I remember one year in elementary school I dressed up as Hannah Montana. The wig was so itchy; I didn’t want to wear it so long. I was excited to dress up as one of my favorite characters.”
Edher Aldaco, CSN student, said, my friends and I dress up and go bar hoping at night or we have a Halloween party where we dress up. His favorite memory was his whole family dressed up as “The Incredibles”.
According to a press release from the National Confectioners Association, 93% of Americans plan on celebrating Halloween this year.
Others are headed to haunted houses.
Freakling Bros. Las Vegas tradition started over 40 years ago to put on the scariest haunted houses with live actors, not animatronics. “It’s time to start haunting again… this Halloween season. We will stay with you long after you leave, and live with you for years to come, in the dark recesses of your mind and perhaps even your bedroom closet,” according to its website.
“Every year my group of friends and I try a new haunted house,” Morgan Athanas, CSN student, said. “I love the enthusiasm and energy that comes from waiting in line to be scared. We try a new one every year and it’s always funny to see other reactions.”
Some students prefer to stay home. Logan said she loves binge-watching horror movies and eating sweets.
According to TimeOut, some of the best Halloween Horror flicks include: “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”, “Poltergeist”, “The Shining” and “Trick r Treat”.
Many customs of pagans still exist like bonfires to ward off evil spirits and gatherings in the dark. Find fun Halloween celebrations by clicking on this link Halloween in Las Vegas 2022 | LasVegasHowTo.com.
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 