Happy Halloween!

Halloween, on 31st of October, was originally celebrated during the 16th Century as a Celtic holiday at the start of the European winter marking the end of the harvest and the start of the darker and colder months to come. It was believed to be when spirits returned to earth. The day was celebrated with many different rituals and traditions from bonfires to dressing up as something terrifying. More recently Halloween has been celebrated most popularly by dressing up and participating in trick-or-treating.

In the last few years celebrating Halloween has gained popularity here in Australia. Some view the holiday as scary or an example of America's influence on Australia. However, there are benefits that come from celebrating Halloween. Locally, the day is an opportunity to dress up, have some fun and interact with your neighbours and other locals. Retail shops can expect customers preparing for the day; stocking up on lollies from Coles, Woolworths, Miss Gourmet & Co. and Haigh’s Chocolate, preparing decorations and costumes from Bunnings, My Red Shop, Eckersley’s and Red Cross. Four years ago Glenferrie Traders Association began celebrating Halloween in Glenferrie Hawthorn with local businesses offering trick-or-treating. Over the years the fun community event has grown and the local kids look forward to dressing up and other activities along the street. Halloween in Glenferrie Hawthorn is an opportunity for locals to discover the area and step into stores that they may not normally in an unusual, different and a little scary set of circumstances! Watch out for Halloween at Glenferrie Hawthorn from 4pm on Tuesday 31 October 2017.