Children in Des Moines, Iowa, will experience a change in tradition this Halloween as they will go trick-or-treating on Halloween night for the first time in over 85 years. Typically, the Des Moines metro area celebrates Beggars’ Night on the day before Halloween due to a policy dating back to the 1930s. However, severe weather this year has forced the city to move the festivities to Halloween night instead.
The tradition of Beggars’ Night began in 1938 as a way to curb vandalism on Halloween night, with children having to perform a song or poem in exchange for candy. This plan was successful in reducing crime and became a beloved tradition in the city.
While some communities had already moved Beggars’ Night to the Saturday before Halloween, Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen is considering a potential official date change to the weekend for future years. Despite the change in date, the spirit of trick-or-treating remains the same for children in the area.
Overall, the safety of residents, families, and children is the top priority for the city, and the decision to change the date of Beggars’ Night was made with this in mind. This change marks a rare departure from tradition and has sparked a mix of excitement and anticipation among the community as they prepare for a unique Halloween celebration this year.
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