Children in Des Moines, Iowa will be trick-or-treating on Halloween day for the first time since 1938 due to forecasted rain and storms ruining their traditional “Beggars’ Night.” The decision to move Beggars’ Night to Thursday from 6-8 p.m. was made to provide a safe and festive trick-or-treating experience for Des Moines children and families. Beggars’ Night was created around 80 years ago to curb violence and vandalism that occurred on Halloween night in the city and its suburbs. Children participating in Beggars’ Night are required to tell a joke to receive candy. The tradition was started in 1938 after a record 550 calls concerning vandalism were made to the Des Moines police on Halloween. Several cities in the Des Moines metropolitan area and other parts of Iowa have also changed their trick-or-treating plans due to weather forecasts. Pleasant Hill and other cities have moved their Beggars’ Night to Thursday as well. Many cities in the metro area are following Des Moines’ lead in rescheduling trick-or-treating to ensure the safety of children and families due to severe weather concerns.
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Beggars’ Night in Des Moines, Iowa Shifted to Halloween Day
