National Network for Equitable Library Service

Spooks and spirits, ghosts and goblins, witches and the weird...it's Halloween...one of the most widely celebrated holidays of the year. But why do we trick-or-treat, carve pumpkins and dress up in costumes? What are the legends and lore behind some of our most treasured Halloween traditions? Find out all about this spooky holiday: * The ancient Celts wore masks and costumes on Halloween night to avoid being recognized as human because they thought spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside * In an attempt to prevent spirits of the dead from leaving their final resting place, gravestones were once placed on top of deeply dug graves * Wiccaphobia is the fear of witches * Several distilleries around the world produce alcoholic beverages with a grim twist; an English firm produces Vampyre Vodka that is blood red in color * According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest gathering of ''zombies'' occurred in Ledbury, Hertfordshire, on August 6, 2009, with 4026 participants. * And so much more...