Carving Pumpkins on Halloween

This time of year, pumpkins with carved faces appear on porches and steps.

Ever wonder why we carve pumpkins on Halloween?

The tradition originated from an Irish myth about an old drunk called “Stingy Jack.”

It’s easy to guess why he was called stingy. He never wanted to pay for his drinks and always tricked his drinking partner into paying. And that little habit got him into big trouble when Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink.

Here’s the story…

Pumpkins replaced turnip jack-o-lanterns when waves of Irish immigrants came to America in the 1800’s to escape the Potato Famine. They quickly discovered that pumpkins were bigger and easier to carve out.

And, that folks is how the tradition of carving and lighting pumpkins for Halloween began.