Pumpkins And Hallowe’en
Today is Hallowe’en, and therefore there has been a sudden increase in the sales of pumpkins and all stuff hallowe’en-y. I have decided to base this list around this day, and here it is:
- Originally turnips and swedes were used instead of pumpkins.
- The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1469lb (666kg - spooky, eh?) and it was grown by Larry Checkon of North Cambria.
- Pumpkins grow on 6 of the 7 continents. Attempts have so far failed in Antarctica.
- Hallowe’en is second only to Christmas in the money spent celebrating it, with over $2.5 billion being spent worldwide.
- The Irish began the tradition of trick or treating. In preparation for Hallowe’en, Irish folk visited neighbours to ask for food for a communal feast. Those that refused to donate were riddiculed for the remainder of the year.
- Druids were the first to celebrate Hallowe’en in around 700BC
- Hallowe’en cards are also being produced, with Americans spending $50 million a year on them!
Some weird and wonderful facts to tide you over until the next time I find something vaguely interesting to write about.