Bizarre Halloween Trivia

* Jack o’ lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the Samhain holiday.

* Halloween was brought to North America by immigrants from Europe who would celebrate the harvest around a bonfire, share ghost stories, sing, dance and tell fortunes.

* The ancient Celts thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on Halloween night. They began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as human.

* Halloween candy sales average about 2 billion dollars annually in the United States.

* Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America. [what does that have to do with Halloween?]

* There really are so-called vampire bats, but they're not from Transylvania. They live in Central and South America and feed on the blood of cattle, horses and birds.

* If you see a spider on Halloween, it is the spirit of a loved on watching over you.

* Bobbing for apples is thought to have originated from the roman harvest festival that honors Pamona, the goddess of fruit trees.

* Black cats were once believed to be witch's familiars who protected their powers.