For the first time since 1938, children in Des Moines, Iowa, will go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. The city’s tradition, known as Beggars’ Night, usually takes place on October 30th, a day before Halloween. However, due to severe weather forecasts, the city decided to move the festivities to Halloween night this year.
Beggars’ Night was established in the 1930s as a response to a particularly crime-ridden Halloween in 1938, when Des Moines police answered 550 reports of vandalism. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department designated October 30th as Beggars’ Night, a time when children could go door-to-door trick-or-treating under adult supervision. Halloween was reserved for family-friendly activities and adult events. A unique twist to the tradition is that children have to tell a joke to receive candy.
According to CNN, Assistant City Manager Jen Schulte stated, “To my knowledge, it has never been moved or canceled since it was established after Halloween in 1938. However, the safety of our residents, families, and children is always our top priority and led to the change in this year’s scheduled Beggars’ Night.”
The decision to move Beggars’ Night to Halloween was made to provide a safe and festive trick-or-treating experience for Des Moines children and families. The city is also considering an official date change to the weekend for next year, according to Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen.
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