October is officially underway! For us, that means getting ready for the Fall community events, decorating, and, of course, the fun of Halloween. We love nothing more than sharing in the excitement with our members, so we’ve dug up some interesting Halloween tidbits to get everyone in the spooky spirit. Here are ten facts that might just surprise you.
1. Turnips were once carved instead of pumpkins.
The tradition of carving produce to honor the deceased began with the Irish and Scottish. But when they immigrated to the U.S., they discovered that pumpkins were far more suited for the task.
2. Pets get into the holiday spirit, too.
According to a 2023 survey by the National Research Federation, American shoppers are expected to spend a combined total of over $700 million on pet costumes. Talk about a paw-sitively adorable way to celebrate!
Don’t forget to vote for who you want to see featured in our very own 13th Annual Pet Calendar. All proceeds benefit Foothills Animal Shelter, so stay tuned for when the 2026 calendars go on sale.
3. The World’s Heaviest Pumpkin weighs 2,749 pounds.
Travis Geigner set this record in 2023 at the 50th Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. The pumpkin was nicknamed "Michael Jordan," in homage to the year the title was won.
4. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the most popular Halloween candy.
According to an analysis of Instacart’s October 2024 candy orders, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups came out victorious, closely followed by Peanut M&Ms and regular M&Ms. Instacart’s platform, which reaches 98% of U.S. households through nearly 100,000 retailers, determined the results of its research by measuring the weight of all candy ordered.
5. Candy corn hasn’t always had this familiar name.
This sugary treat was originally called “Chicken Feed” and gained popularity in the late 1800s when the Goelitz Confectionary Company took over production. While it has been a Halloween staple since the 1950s, the recipe itself hasn’t changed much since the 1880s.
6. Ever wondered why there’s a “Christmas Eve” but not a “Halloween Eve”?
Well, on the East Coast and in the Midwest, there kind of is. Affectionately called "Mischief Night" or "Goosey Night," the night before Halloween is often dedicated to pranking for many teens.
7. A full moon happens on Halloween every 19 years.
Don’t hold your breath for the next one… it won’t be until 2039! For Halloween 2025, we can expect to see a waxing gibbous in the sky, which means that the moon will be 70% illuminated.
8. Pumpkins are fruits, not vegetables.
You know that classing saying: “Eat your… fruits?” Neither do we, but it turns out the unofficial symbol of Halloween is a fruit. Pumpkins are grown from flowers, which technically makes them a fruit.
9. We associate black and orange with Halloween for a historical reason.
This color association can be traced back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which welcomed the harvest season at the end of summer. Library of Congress explains that black symbolized the "death" of that year’s summer, while orange represented the upcoming autumn harvest.
10. Candy wasn’t always the treat in trick-or-treating.
Before the 1950s, when trick-or-treating began to rise in popularity, kids often came home with coins, fruit, nuts, or toys after their costumed fun. This led candy companies to heavily market small, wrapped candies for Halloween, solidifying candy’s place in the tradition.
From the carving of turnips to the record-breaking pumpkin, Halloween's rich history is as much about community as it is about celebration. Here at Credit Union of Denver, that community spirit is at the heart of everything we do. Thank you for being a part of our credit union family. If you enjoyed this little trip through Halloween history, be sure to check out our other posts on financial wellness and community events!