Halloween..... has always been a holiday (yes, holiday) filled with mystery, magic and superstition. It began as a Celtic (the Celts, who lived 2000 years ago, mostly in the area known as Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France) end-of-summer festival, "Samhain," when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts, while at the same time people felt especially close to deceased relatives and friends. For these friendly spirits, they set places at the dinner table, left treats on doorsteps and along the side of the road - and also lit candles to help loved ones find their way back to the spirit world.
The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1.
In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints (this date would be changed later) . Soon, "All Saints Day" incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later, Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
By A.D. 43, the Roman Empire had conquered the majority of Celtic territory - and in the course of the 400 years they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.
The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple - and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of bobbing for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.
Halloween did not actually come to the United States until the 19th century... and even then, it was slow going. At first, such celebrations were extremely limited in colonial New England... then more common in Maryland and the southern colonies.
As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups and the American Indians meshed, an American Halloween was born. The first celebrations included "play parties," which were public events held to celebrate the harvest. Neighbors shared stories of the dead, dance and sang, and told each other's fortunes.
By the middle of the 19th century, annual autumn festivities were common, yet Halloween was not celebrated across the country. It would be during the second half of the 19th century, when America was flooded with new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing the Irish Potato Famine, that helped popularize the celebration of Halloween nationally.
So where will you sing and dance? What costume will you wear?
Activities around Sheridan County....
starting this Thursday, October 26th is the Kalif Shrine's "Tunnel of Terror"
It's in the basement of the Shrine, which is a tunnel and has been very popular in the past... Friday and Saturday hours will go later if the attendance is high.
Dia De Los Muertos .... at LeDoux Saloon on Friday October 27, starts at 5:00 pm... take a trip out to Big Horn for.....
DAY OF THE DEAD
A special menu, live music, face painting, costume contest and much much more... one thing I do know about LeDoux Saloon, the owners love to put on a great party.
Saturday morning can begin with yoga at the Kula Space, 7 am.... as they team up with Core Physical Therapy/Core Pilates and the Sheridan County YMCA for a day of trying to things (possibly), supporting Breast Cancer Awareness with proceeds going to Sheridan's local Welch Cancer Center.
The Kula Space will have free yoga (donations welcome on site) at 7:00 am and 2:00 pm;
The Sheridan County YMCA has cycling at 9:00 am (there are only 29 bikes, so sign up early; membership not necessary, though there is a charge) and then followed by "Glow Yoga" at 10:00 am. $10 for one class, $15 if you do both cycling and yoga... and do dress up!!! CORE PT and CORE Pilates has a day of free pilates, starting at 8:00 am, every hour with the last class at 2:00 pm. I have done Pilates at CORE and it's well worth trying. I have also done cycling, yoga at Kula Space and Glow Yoga.... and if I can, I may sneak in a yoga class on Saturday.
CORE is also hosting a variety of vendors, so there will be shopping available at their beautiful downtown location. Go enjoy the day, grabbing coffee from the Columbia Coffee guy... it is to be a little chilly, so bundle up!
SATURDAY, there are activities ALL OVER TOWN.
Big Horn Mountain Eagles 4169 is having a "Trunk or Treat" indoors due to the change of weather - there will be booths throughout the building. 12:00 pm
Things that go BUMP in the Night.... at The Brinton Museum
Check out the Brinton Museum in your scariest costume for family friendly fun. Check out the Forrest E Mars Jr building for an activity sheet, there will be spooky games and activities, and Science Kids will be lurking in the greenhouse with creepy and crawlies.... What an experience! Begins at 2 pm #familyfun
Luminous Brewhouse:
Halloween Party starting at 2:00 pm:
- bring your own pumpkin, for a carving contest (they'll provide everything else)
- Kid costume contest
- Games
- Zaza Taco Truck will be parked outside at 5:00 pm
Adult (21 and over) Halloween Party, starts at 7 pm - and there will be an adult Costume Contest too...
2311 Shirley Cove, Sheridan WY....
I would think the people at the Green House Living for Sheridan would love to see the children in their costumes.
4:00 -6:00 pm
Ever heard of the Bighorn Mountain Crawlers... before now? They are a non-profit association working to preserve and enhance responsible access to public lands in Northern Wyoming.
They'll be at the Glazed an Confused parking lot from 5:00 - 8:00 pm ... hopefully with some rigs spooked up and some Trunk or Treating for you and your family!
A great way to learn more about this organization as well as maybe see some cool rides!
If you want to take a little trip south and head to Buffalo.....
The Wild Rose Tearoom is having their second annual SPOOKTACULAR EVENT. Starts at 5:15 pm, $40 a person... come in costume. It is right on Main Street in Buffalo, at the main light - a delightful experience... I just had tea there, a few weeks ago.
Back over in Sheridan for an evening full of music is... at the Warehouse Gastropub:
And a chance to win a ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE...
Music starts at 8:30 pm with The Nate Champion Band.... and at 11:30 pm, DJ Austin Taylor takes over... $10 cover charge. Costume Contest Winner is announced at Midnight (must be present to win... I won't win, I'll most likely be in bed).
and onto SUNDAY
FALL FESTIVAL at The Homeplace Cowboy Church
1082 E Brundage Lane
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Games, Hot dogs, popcorn, drinks....
MONDAY MONDAY.....
Check out
The Day of the Dead
at the Fulmer Library in Sheridan.
from 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Mexican Music and Dance, face painting, cookie decorating, watch a movie...
#familyfun on a Monday
Guess what day it is?? It's Tuesday... October 31, 2023... did you make it?
Sheridan has more treats....
Trunk or Treat at Fremont Motors at 1658 Coffeen Avenue, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm
First United Methodist Church:
TRUNK or TREAT
Monday Monday....
4:30 - 6:30 pm......
Candy and Treat-Size Walking Tacos
I helped at this last year, and it was my first time "Trunk or Treating," and I loved it.
The HUB on Smith... Trunk or Treat on Tuesday Tuesday, October 31, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Treats, Popcorn, Hot Drinks, Curds of Wyoming and the Status Car Club ....
And after all the candy... why not head out to Story? Not just more candy... but dinner too! And donations help support their Operation Christmas Child Shoebox gifts.... Hopefully there won't be too much snow on the ground, either way, it most likely will be a pretty drive.
Happy Halloween from us, at Steppin Out With Stella.... #gettinaroundinagoodway company