Punkin chunkin or pumpkin chucking is the sport of hurling a pumpkin by mechanical means for distance. The devices used include slingshots , catapults , centrifugals , trebuchets , and pneumatic (air) cannons .
138-748: Punkin chunkin competitions, formal and informal, exist throughout the United States in the autumn, particularly in early November as a means to dispose of surplus pumpkins from Halloween . World Championship Punkin Chunkin, held annually in November in Delaware by the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA), was the first and largest annual competition. The event ran annually from 1985 to 2013;
276-643: A "rare few" in rural communities as they were considered to be "deadly serious" practices. In recent centuries, these divination games have been "a common feature of the household festivities" in Ireland and Britain. They often involve apples and hazelnuts. In Celtic mythology , apples were strongly associated with the Otherworld and immortality , while hazelnuts were associated with divine wisdom. Some also suggest that they derive from Roman practices in celebration of Pomona . The following activities were
414-526: A $ 1.8 million complete repaving of DDIS' track surface, this time replacing the traditional asphalt surface with concrete. Paving started in November and was completed in March 1995. In October 1996, the city of Dover approved a master plan to allow the track to build 73,178 additional seats over the course of seven years, with the plan increasing capacity to 170,000. However, by 2005, only 140,000 seats were installed. In contrast, Dover Downs Raceway, alongside
552-421: A 1-mile (1.6 km) auto racing oval around the horse racing track. However, a steel truckers' strike and picketing delayed the grandstand construction. Originally set to open on March 1, 1968, the facility's debut was postponed to March 14 at the request of Buckson, who wanted to avoid competing with Georgetown Raceway. Although the facility was initially set to open on March 1, 1968, Further delays came in
690-513: A 2023 Delaware Business Times report. At its peak, DMS had a capacity of 140,000 according to a 2005 News Journal article. Miles the Monster has served as DMS' official mascot since 2000. The description of Miles the Monster has drawn comparisons by Roadside America to The Thing and the Hulk , and was inspired by the "theme of concrete" according to Joe Heller, a former DMS PR worker. Miles
828-432: A 54,000-seat capacity as of 2022. Adjacent to Bally's Dover , which owns the surrounding property, the speedway itself is owned by Speedway Motorsports (SMI) and managed by Mike Tatoian. The track opened in 1969 as a combined horse and auto racing facility under the control of David P. Buckson , then- Attorney General of Delaware . The facility, particularly its horse racing endeavors, quickly faced financial troubles but
966-590: A Christianization of an earlier pagan custom. Many Christians in mainland Europe, especially in France, believed "that once a year, on Hallowe'en, the dead of the churchyards rose for one wild, hideous carnival" known as the danse macabre , which was often depicted in church decoration . Christopher Allmand and Rosamond McKitterick write in The New Cambridge Medieval History that the danse macabre urged Christians "not to forget
1104-459: A March 1983 interview. In September 1982, Rollins offered the city of Dover to purchase the entirety of Dover Downs for $ 5 million (adjusted for inflation, $ 15,295,690). Later that year, DDR underwent renovations, adding betting windows and color televisions. In April 1983, McGlynn tried to negotiate with the city to lower the buying cost of Dover Downs to $ 1.9 million; however, the proposal was rejected. Attendance at DDR also continued to drop with
1242-482: A bargain that Satan can never claim his soul. After a life of sin , drink , and mendacity, Jack is refused entry to heaven when he dies. Keeping his promise, the Devil refuses to let Jack into hell and throws a live coal straight from the fires of hell at him. It was a cold night, so Jack places the coal in a hollowed out turnip to stop it from going out, since which time Jack and his lantern have been roaming looking for
1380-608: A carnival fun house, powered by steam. The House still exists, in the Hollycombe Steam Collection . It was during the 1930s, about the same time as trick-or-treating , that Halloween-themed haunted houses first began to appear in America. It was in the late 1950s that haunted houses as a major attraction began to appear, focusing first on California. Sponsored by the Children's Health Home Junior Auxiliary,
1518-434: A chair, holding a fork between the teeth and trying to drive the fork into an apple, or embedding a coin in the apple which participants had to remove with their teeth. Another common game involves hanging up treacle or syrup-coated scones by strings; these must be eaten without using hands while they remain attached to the string, an activity that inevitably leads to a sticky face. A similar game involved hanging an apple from
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#17327876991971656-477: A common feature of Halloween in Ireland and Britain during the 17th–20th centuries. Some have become more widespread and continue to be popular today. One common game is apple bobbing or dunking (which may be called "dooking" in Scotland) in which apples float in a tub or a large basin of water and the participants must use only their teeth to remove an apple from the basin. Variants of dunking involve kneeling on
1794-553: A delay in consideration, S.B. 201 was passed through both branches of the General Assembly on July 18 and signed into law by Delaware Governor Charles L. Terry Jr. eight days later. By September, Buckson was able to purchase just under $ 2 million worth of land to acquire approximately 600 acres (240 ha) of land to construct the facility. Construction of the facility began in October, with plans expanded to include
1932-655: A form of these attractions by opening one of the first "hell houses" in 1972. Dover International Speedway Dover Motor Speedway (formerly known as the Dover International Speedway from 2002 to 2021 and as the Dover Downs International Speedway from 1969 to 2001) is a 1.000 mi (1.609 km) oval track in Dover, Delaware , hosting major events since 1969, including NASCAR and IndyCar races. It has
2070-431: A heaven filled with angels and a hell filled with devils", a motif that has permeated the observance of this triduum . One of the earliest works on the subject of Halloween is from Scottish poet John Mayne , who, in 1780, made note of pranks at Halloween— "What fearfu' pranks ensue!" , as well as the supernatural associated with the night, "bogles" (ghosts) —influencing Robert Burns ' " Halloween " (1785). Elements of
2208-425: A host "in (a state) with favorable liability laws;" they also declined to hold the event in 2021, citing "many obstacles in our path in recent years - some well known and others, not so much(.)" The organizers stated that though they loved Delaware, they were convinced that "certain organizations within our state (...) will work to see that (the changes necessary to return the event to Delaware) never happen" and that it
2346-439: A more intimate experience (spectators could visit the contestants in the pits before the competition began), but also led the organizers to believe the event would run at a financial loss for them. For 2020, the organizers sought to return to the eastern United States but were unable to do so because of coronavirus restrictions ; the event was to be held in 2020 in an altered format, but organizers again claimed they could not find
2484-628: A myriad of legal and logistical problems caused multiple events to be cancelled after that, and subsequent championships have been more sporadic. A European Championship has been held in Bikschote, Belgium , each year since 2004. The Guinness world record shot is held by a pneumatic cannon dubbed "Big 10 Inch", at 5,545.43 feet (1,690.25 m), on September 9, 2010, in Moab, Utah . The shot received certification from Guinness World Records in early February 2011. Big 10 Inch has also competed many times at
2622-656: A new media center and 5,100 seats was completed, with a further 3,800 seats being announced. By the end of the decade, renovations were made to victory lane, restrooms, pit road, and the garages. In April 1991, a 5,383-seat grandstand was erected overseeing the track's fourth turn. Further expansions of 5,000, 4,750, 6,650, and 6,950 seats were approved by the Dover Planning Commission in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994, respectively, increasing capacity to 73,502. In November 1994, alongside further construction of an additional 7,050 seats, track officials announced
2760-735: A newspaper in Kingston, Ontario , Canada, reported children going "guising" around the neighborhood. American historian and author Ruth Edna Kelley of Massachusetts wrote the first book-length history of Halloween in the US: The Book of Hallowe'en (1919), and references souling in the chapter "Hallowe'en in America". In her book, Kelley touches on customs that arrived from across the Atlantic; "Americans have fostered them, and are making this an occasion something like what it must have been in its best days overseas. All Halloween customs in
2898-482: A number of lives during Rome's sultry summers. By the end of the 12th century, the celebration had become known as the holy days of obligation in Western Christianity and involved such traditions as ringing church bells for souls in purgatory . It was also "customary for criers dressed in black to parade the streets, ringing a bell of mournful sound and calling on all good Christians to remember
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#17327876991973036-463: A nun, priest, monk, etc.); a coin , that they would become rich; a bean , that they would be poor. The game features prominently in the James Joyce short story " Clay " (1914). In Ireland and Scotland, items would be hidden in food – usually a cake, barmbrack , cranachan , champ or colcannon – and portions of it served out at random. A person's future would be foretold by
3174-418: A one-off United States Auto Club (USAC) open-wheel event, with Art Pollard winning the event. While a 10-year deal was signed with USAC in 1970, the race was cancelled that same year due to complaints from driver Mike Mosley that the track was unsafe after Mosley ran tests at the facility. Starting in 1998, the facility ran Indy Racing League (IRL) races. However, after one more iteration in 1999,
3312-449: A place to rest. In Ireland, Scotland, and Northern England the turnip has traditionally been carved during Halloween, but immigrants to North America used the native pumpkin, which is both much softer and much larger, making it easier to carve than a turnip. The American tradition of carving pumpkins is recorded in 1837 and was originally associated with harvest time in general, not becoming specifically associated with Halloween until
3450-508: A pre-recorded package via Facebook by Thanksgiving. Halloween Halloween , or Hallowe'en (less commonly known as Allhalloween , All Hallows' Eve , or All Saints' Eve ), is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day . It is at the beginning of the observance of Allhallowtide , the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering
3588-681: A pumpkin cooking contest, a chili cook-off, the Miss Punkin Chunkin pageant, and other attractions. The event originated in 1986, and early in its history convened in Lewes, Delaware . Due to increasing space requirements (distance of shots, number of teams, and number of spectators) new locations in Sussex County had to be found. In 2007, WCPC moved to Bridgeville (at 38°43′20″N 75°32′08″W / 38.72222°N 75.53556°W / 38.72222; -75.53556 ), near
3726-442: A reinvigorated and financially stable DDR, with McGlynn praising Rollins in a News Journal interview. In March 1999, a 22,000 square feet (2,000 m ) expansion to increase the amount of slot machines to 1,568 was completed. Discussions on building a hotel to make Dover Downs an "entertainment destination" were recorded as far back as March 1998, with McGlynn stating that building a hotel "would make sense". On August 25, 1999,
3864-412: A seat-widening plan, with capacity decreasing from 132,000 to 113,000. By the 2015 FedEx 400 , DIS decreased seating capacity to 95,500 in response to further attendance downturn at DIS. A further 10,500 seats were torn down in time for the 2017 AAA 400 Drive for Autism , resetting the capacity to 85,000. Two years later, in response to a further decline of demand according to McGlynn, seating capacity
4002-597: A secular Halloween custom. It is recorded in Scotland at Halloween in 1895 where masqueraders in disguise carrying lanterns made out of scooped out turnips, visit homes to be rewarded with cakes, fruit, and money. In Ireland, the most popular phrase for kids to shout (until the 2000s) was " Help the Halloween Party ". Author Nicholas Rogers cites an early example of guising in North America in 1911, where
4140-526: A serious financial situation... I know we can't continue to operate in a deficit situation." Buckson proposed dog racing and a tax relief bill to improve finances in January 1974; although the House approved the bill, it was vetoed by Sherman W. Tribbitt . In August, Buckson's salary was cut, and he was reassigned as chairman, with Riddle stepping in as president. In September, Riddle announced Dover Downs
4278-498: A string with a coin embedded; the coin had to be removed without using hands. Another once-popular game involves hanging a small wooden rod from the ceiling at head height, with a lit candle on one end and an apple hanging from the other. The rod is spun round, and everyone takes turns to try to catch the apple with their teeth. Several of the traditional activities from Ireland and Britain involve foretelling one's future partner or spouse. An apple would be peeled in one long strip, then
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4416-447: Is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or treat?" The word "trick" implies a "threat" to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. The practice is said to have roots in the medieval practice of mumming , which is closely related to souling . John Pymm wrote that "many of
4554-451: Is a popular Irish Christian folktale associated with the jack-o'-lantern, which in folklore is said to represent a " soul who has been denied entry into both heaven and hell ": On route home after a night's drinking, Jack encounters the Devil and tricks him into climbing a tree. A quick-thinking Jack etches the sign of the cross into the bark, thus trapping the Devil. Jack strikes
4692-466: Is instead owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by the Bally's Corporation . Dover Motor Speedway is located in Dover, Delaware , and is served by U.S. Route 13 and Delaware Route 1 . As of 2022, the track has a permanent seating capacity of 54,000 according to The News Journal . In addition to seating, approximately 3,000 spots dedicated to camping are also available according to
4830-748: Is one of the quarter days in the medieval Gaelic calendar and has been celebrated on 31 October – 1 November in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man . A kindred festival has been held by the Brittonic Celts, called Calan Gaeaf in Wales, Kalan Gwav in Cornwall and Kalan Goañv in Brittany ; a name meaning "first day of winter". For the Celts, the day ended and began at sunset; thus
4968-507: Is scheduled to take place in 2023 in Oklahoma. It is governed by the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA). Teams competed in the following divisions: Air Cannon, Female Air Cannon, Centrifugal, Catapult, Torsion, Trebuchet, Human Powered, Centrifugal Human Powered, Youth Air Cannon, Youth Catapult, Youth Trebuchet, Youth Human Powered, Youth 10 & Under, and Theatrical. Each division competed strictly for distance except for
5106-432: Is solid and will continue to be so for many years". However, owner John W. Rollins said he hadn’t made a profit on the track, noting his financial support had kept it afloat. In November 1979, director of operations Denis McGlynn was named as Riddle's replacement for president of Dover Downs. Heading into the 1980s, the facility experienced continued financial woes, with McGlynn reporting "significant" losses since 1981 in
5244-571: Is the world's largest Halloween parade and America's only major nighttime parade, attracting more than 60,000 costumed participants, two million spectators, and a worldwide television audience. Since the late 2010s, ethnic stereotypes as costumes have increasingly come under scrutiny in the United States. According to a 2018 report from the National Retail Federation , 30 million Americans will spend an estimated $ 480 million on Halloween costumes for their pets in 2018. This
5382-483: Is up from an estimated $ 200 million in 2010. The most popular costumes for pets are the pumpkin, followed by the hot dog , and the bumblebee in third place. There are several games traditionally associated with Halloween. Some of these games originated as divination rituals or ways of foretelling one's future, especially regarding death, marriage and children. During the Middle Ages , these rituals were done by
5520-465: The 1969 Mason-Dixon 300 ; the race oversaw fewer fans and traffic problems than expected. In June 1970, DDIS underwent its first repave at the cost of $ 50,000 (adjusted for inflation, $ 392,288). In its early years, Dover Downs struggled financially. By July 1969, liens totaling over $ 950,000 were filed against the facility. In April 1970, McNutt Electric Company, one of the lienholders, sued Dover Downs for unpaid bills. By August, Dover Downs settled
5658-483: The Aos Sí , or the souls of the dead, and received offerings on their behalf, similar to ' souling '. Impersonating these beings, or wearing a disguise, was also believed to protect oneself from them. In parts of southern Ireland, the guisers included a hobby horse . A man dressed as a Láir Bhán ( white mare ) led youths house-to-house reciting verses – some of which had pagan overtones – in exchange for food. If
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5796-539: The Celtic-speaking countries , some of which are believed to have pagan roots. Jack Santino , a folklorist , writes that "there was throughout Ireland an uneasy truce existing between customs and beliefs associated with Christianity and those associated with religions that were Irish before Christianity arrived". The origins of Halloween customs are typically linked to the Gaelic festival Samhain . Samhain
5934-468: The News Journal reported that Dover Downs Entertainment had submitted plans for a 520-room four star hotel to the Dover Planning Commission for approval, with construction taking place in two 260-room phases if approved. The hotel was approved on September 20. The first phase of the hotel was scheduled to open on February 8, 2002; although it did open on time, the opening was affected by a flood on
6072-679: The Scottish form of All Hallows' Eve (the evening before All Hallows' Day ): even is the Scots term for "eve" or "evening", and is contracted to e'en or een ; (All) Hallow(s) E(v)en became Hallowe'en . Halloween is thought to have influences from Christian beliefs and practices. The English word 'Halloween' comes from "All Hallows' Eve", being the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows' Day (All Saints' Day) on 1 November and All Souls' Day on 2 November. Since
6210-573: The Wurth 400 for sponsorship reasons. For most of its history, DMS held two annual races: one in the spring and one in the fall. The former was first run in 1969 to christen the auto racing oval. The latter was first run in 1971, and was run annually until 2021, when its race date was shifted to the Nashville Superspeedway . Along with its Cup Series races, DMS also hosts lower-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series races. In 1969, DMS ran
6348-432: The autumn season , such as pumpkins, corn husks , and scarecrows , are also prevalent. Homes are often decorated with these types of symbols around Halloween. Halloween imagery includes themes of death, evil , and mythical monsters . Black cats , which have been long associated with witches, are also a common symbol of Halloween. Black, orange, and sometimes purple are Halloween's traditional colors. Trick-or-treating
6486-550: The early Church . Other academics say Halloween began independently as a Christian holiday, being the vigil of All Hallows' Day. Celebrated in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, Irish and Scottish immigrants took many Halloween customs to North America in the 19th century, and then through American influence various Halloween customs spread to other countries by the late 20th and early 21st century. Popular activities during Halloween include trick-or-treating (or
6624-517: The effect of witches , who were believed to accompany the malignant spirits as they traveled the earth". After 1605, Hallowtide was eclipsed in England by Guy Fawkes Night (5 November), which appropriated some of its customs. In England, the ending of official ceremonies related to the intercession of saints led to the development of new, unofficial Hallowtide customs. In 18th–19th century rural Lancashire , Catholic families gathered on hills on
6762-549: The 18th century, "imitating malignant spirits" led to playing pranks in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands . Wearing costumes and playing pranks at Halloween did not spread to England until the 20th century. Pranksters used hollowed-out turnips or mangel wurzels as lanterns, often carved with grotesque faces. By those who made them, the lanterns were variously said to represent the spirits, or used to ward off evil spirits. They were common in parts of Ireland and
6900-499: The 2016 festivities, one of the event's air cannons malfunctioned and chunks of flying metal struck a member of the TV production staff in the head seriously injuring her; after the injury, Science Channel opted to discontinue filming and not air Punkin Chunkin that year. The staffer is believed to have recovered from her injuries. The producer filed a lawsuit against the WCPCA, its officers and
7038-697: The Calvinist doctrine of predestination . State-sanctioned ceremonies associated with the intercession of saints and prayer for souls in purgatory were abolished during the Elizabethan reform , though All Hallows' Day remained in the English liturgical calendar to "commemorate saints as godly human beings". For some Nonconformist Protestants , the theology of All Hallows' Eve was redefined: "souls cannot be journeying from Purgatory on their way to Heaven, as Catholics frequently believe and assert. Instead,
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#17327876991977176-529: The Christian tradition, serves as "a reminder of death and the transitory quality of human life" and is consequently found in memento mori and vanitas compositions; skulls have therefore been commonplace in Halloween, which touches on this theme. Traditionally, the back walls of churches are "decorated with a depiction of the Last Judgment , complete with graves opening and the dead rising, with
7314-480: The Irish and Scots, though "In Cajun areas, a nocturnal Mass was said in cemeteries on Halloween night. Candles that had been blessed were placed on graves, and families sometimes spent the entire night at the graveside". Originally confined to these immigrant communities, it was gradually assimilated into mainstream society and was celebrated coast to coast by people of all social, racial, and religious backgrounds by
7452-523: The Puritans of New England strongly opposed the holiday, along with other traditional celebrations of the established Church, including Christmas. Almanacs of the late 18th and early 19th century give no indication that Halloween was widely celebrated in North America. It was not until after mass Irish and Scottish immigration in the 19th century that Halloween became a major holiday in America. Most American Halloween traditions were inherited from
7590-852: The San Mateo Haunted House opened in 1957. The San Bernardino Assistance League Haunted House opened in 1958. Home haunts began appearing across the country during 1962 and 1963. In 1964, the San Manteo Haunted House opened, as well as the Children's Museum Haunted House in Indianapolis. The haunted house as an American cultural icon can be attributed to the opening of The Haunted Mansion in Disneyland on 12 August 1969. Knott's Berry Farm began hosting its own Halloween night attraction, Knott's Scary Farm , which opened in 1973. Evangelical Christians adopted
7728-583: The Scottish Highlands in the 19th century, as well as in Somerset (see Punkie Night ). In the 20th century they spread to other parts of Britain and became generally known as jack-o'-lanterns . Lesley Bannatyne and Cindy Ott write that Anglican colonists in the southern United States and Catholic colonists in Maryland "recognized All Hallows' Eve in their church calendars", although
7866-545: The Theatrical division which relies on a fan vote. The teams get three shots, one taken on each of three consecutive days. Only a team's longest shot is scored for official results. Spotters riding on ATVs find the impact point, and then a professional surveyor calculates the distance based on GPS coordinates of the impact and the machine. The impact point is marked with color-coded spray paint. The event also featured amusement rides, food vendors, fireworks, live concerts,
8004-617: The US in the early 20th century, as often for adults as for children, and when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in Canada and the US in the 1920s and 1930s. Eddie J. Smith, in his book Halloween, Hallowed is Thy Name , offers a religious perspective to the wearing of costumes on All Hallows' Eve, suggesting that by dressing up as creatures "who at one time caused us to fear and tremble", people are able to poke fun at Satan "whose kingdom has been plundered by our Saviour". Images of skeletons and
8142-585: The United States are borrowed directly or adapted from those of other countries". While the first reference to "guising" in North America occurs in 1911, another reference to ritual begging on Halloween appears, place unknown, in 1915, with a third reference in Chicago in 1920. The earliest known use in print of the term "trick or treat" appears in 1927, in the Blackie Herald , of Alberta , Canada. The thousands of Halloween postcards produced between
8280-744: The WCPC event in Delaware . The WCPCA World Record, which includes only shots made at the annual World Championship event, is currently held by The American Chunker air cannon, captained by Brian Labrie, at 4,694.68 feet (1,430.94 m) on November 1, 2013, in Bridgeville, Delaware . The difference in results between Delaware and Utah may be due to the higher, thinner, drier air found in Utah providing less resistance and drag, thus greater range. The range achieved by devices depends on their mass, shape, and size;
8418-626: The World Championship from 2009 to 2016. WCPCA and the Science Channel agreed to a new 3-year contract that ran through the 2016 WCPC. In 2009 and 2010 the "Punkin Chunkin" special aired on tape delay on Thanksgiving Day . Each year of coverage thus far has featured an hour long special titled "Road to the Chunk" that preceded coverage of the WCPC event. The previous year's contest is shown around Halloween and sporadically throughout
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#17327876991978556-407: The bill in the summer of the same year. Five years later, despite threats of another veto from Castle's successor Tom Carper , another push for legalization was made in early 1994 after the closure of Brandywine Raceway in 1990 and further economic turmoil due to H.B. 297's veto. Another bill, H.B. 443, was passed by June 1994 by both chambers but was again vetoed; however, Carper stated that he
8694-501: The bonfire were carried sunwise around homes and fields to protect them. It is suggested the fires were a kind of imitative or sympathetic magic – they mimicked the Sun and held back the decay and darkness of winter. They were also used for divination and to ward off evil spirits. In Scotland, these bonfires and divination games were banned by the church elders in some parishes. In Wales, bonfires were also lit to "prevent
8832-574: The competition, the pumpkin shoot , emphasizes accuracy over distance, as competitors aim to hit a specific target. A "Great Pumpkin Shoot" has been held in Olean, New York , most years since 2010. World Championship Punkin Chunkin (WCPC) was the name of an annual contest held the first full weekend after Halloween in Delaware from 1986 through 2013 and in 2016. It was also held in 2019 in Illinois and
8970-515: The construction of Rosecroft Raceway in 1984, with the track reporting an over 10% decrease in average attendance from the previous year. Later that year in May, in response to rising attendance and subsequent complaints about a lack of seating at DDIS, McGlynn announced a long-term expansion plan to retain its NASCAR races. Two years later, DDIS underwent a repave after complaints from NASCAR drivers and crew chiefs. The repave process started in May and
9108-583: The contest. After considering a move to a location in Maryland , the organization announced plans to revive the World Championship Punkin Chunkin contest for 2016 at its previous site in Bridgeville after the insurance concerns were addressed. No World Championship was held in 2017 because of another injury-related lawsuit; before the decision to cancel, the organizers had suggested that the 2017 championship would have been
9246-489: The country's most prolific pumpkin growing state, the fact that the former air force base is a brownfield that does not need to be cleared of crops (allowing the event to be held a few weeks earlier in the season), and lower costs for police and fire protection. The 2019 World Championship was substantially downsized (in terms of number of competitors) due to the relocation, as many of the Delaware regulars were unwilling to trek across several states to partake. This allowed for
9384-621: The dead , especially the souls of the givers' friends and relatives. This was called "souling". Soul cakes were also offered for the souls themselves to eat, or the 'soulers' would act as their representatives. As with the Lenten tradition of hot cross buns , soul cakes were often marked with a cross , indicating they were baked as alms . Shakespeare mentions souling in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593). While souling, Christians would carry "lanterns made of hollowed-out turnips", which could have originally represented souls of
9522-570: The dead are traditional decorations used as memento mori . " Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF " is a fundraising program to support UNICEF , a United Nations Programme that provides humanitarian aid to children in developing countries. Started as a local event in a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood in 1950 and expanded nationally in 1952, the program involves the distribution of small boxes by schools (or in modern times, corporate sponsors like Hallmark , at their licensed stores) to trick-or-treaters, in which they can solicit small-change donations from
9660-583: The dead to gain vengeance on their enemies before moving to the next world . In order to avoid being recognized by any soul that might be seeking such vengeance, people would don masks or costumes". In the Middle Ages, churches in Europe that were too poor to display relics of martyred saints at Allhallowtide let parishioners dress up as saints instead. Some Christians observe this custom at Halloween today. Lesley Bannatyne believes this could have been
9798-520: The dead, including saints ( hallows ), martyrs , and all the faithful departed. In popular culture, the day has become a celebration of horror and is associated with the macabre and the supernatural . One theory holds that many Halloween traditions were influenced by Celtic harvest festivals , particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain , which are believed to have pagan roots. Some go further and suggest that Samhain may have been Christianized as All Hallows' Day, along with its eve, by
9936-487: The dead; jack-o'-lanterns were used to ward off evil spirits. On All Saints' and All Souls' Day during the 19th century, candles were lit in homes in Ireland, Flanders, Bavaria, and in Tyrol , where they were called "soul lights", that served "to guide the souls back to visit their earthly homes". In many of these places, candles were also lit at graves on All Souls' Day. In Brittany , libations of milk were poured on
10074-654: The device until hitting the ground for the chunk to count. Pumpkins that burst after leaving the barrel or sling are referred to as "pie" (short for "pumpkin pie in the sky"); such launches are disqualified under WCPC rules. Punkin Chunkin events, usually independently organized, are held throughout the United States, with active annual contests in Lake County, California ; Clayton, New York ; Ellicottville, New York ; Brasstown, North Carolina and Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County, Pennsylvania . A variant of
10212-492: The early 20th century. Then, through American influence , these Halloween traditions spread to many other countries by the late 20th and early 21st century, including to mainland Europe and some parts of the Far East . Development of artifacts and symbols associated with Halloween formed over time. Jack-o'-lanterns are traditionally carried by guisers on All Hallows' Eve in order to frighten evil spirits . There
10350-519: The end of all earthly things". The danse macabre was sometimes enacted in European village pageants and court masques , with people "dressing up as corpses from various strata of society", and this may be the origin of Halloween costume parties. In Britain, these customs came under attack during the Reformation , as Protestants berated purgatory as a " popish " doctrine incompatible with
10488-443: The fact that it "solves the rural conundrum in which homes [are] built a half-mile apart". Halloween costumes were traditionally modeled after figures such as vampires , ghosts , skeletons , scary looking witches , and devils. Over time, the costume selection extended to include popular characters from fiction, celebrities, and generic archetypes such as ninjas and princesses . Dressing up in costumes and going " guising "
10626-536: The feast days associated with the presentation of mumming plays were celebrated by the Christian Church." These feast days included All Hallows' Eve, Christmas, Twelfth Night and Shrove Tuesday . Mumming practiced in Germany, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe, involved masked persons in fancy dress who "paraded the streets and entered houses to dance or play dice in silence". In England, from
10764-459: The festival begins the evening before 1 November by modern reckoning. Samhain is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature. The names have been used by historians to refer to Celtic Halloween customs up until the 19th century, and are still the Gaelic and Welsh names for Halloween. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or the 'darker half' of the year. It
10902-818: The first ever horse race at the Dover Downs Raceway (DDR). The following month, Dover Downs was able to secure its first auto racing dates, with the NASCAR Grand National Series scheduling a 300-mile (480 km) race on July 6. By the end of its first horse racing season in May, the facility received mixed reception from local press; in responding to rumors that track leaders would abandon horse racing, Buckson stated to The Morning News that they were "ridiculous. We'll be back here next year ready to go again." The auto racing oval, named Dover Downs International Raceway (DDIS), held its first races as scheduled, with Richard Petty winning
11040-469: The following year February, with the opening rescheduled to early April due to the ongoing strike and a winter storm. By April, construction completion was moved to August, and in June, multiple liens totaling at least $ 286,500 were filed against Dover Downs. To address these financial issues, Buckson partnered with John W. Rollins and Melvin J. Joseph to secure a $ 3 million financing plan, with Rollins as
11178-466: The graves of kinfolk, or food would be left overnight on the dinner table for the returning souls; a custom also found in Tyrol and parts of Italy. Christian minister Prince Sorie Conteh linked the wearing of costumes to the belief in vengeful ghosts : "It was traditionally believed that the souls of the departed wandered the earth until All Saints' Day, and All Hallows' Eve provided one last chance for
11316-550: The graves of the dead, although it is a secular celebration for others. Some Christians historically abstained from meat on All Hallows' Eve, a tradition reflected in the eating of certain vegetarian foods on this vigil day, including apples, potato pancakes , and soul cakes . The word Halloween or Hallowe'en (" Saints ' evening" ) is of Christian origin ; a term equivalent to "All Hallows Eve" as attested in Old English . The word hallowe[']en comes from
11454-459: The graveyard of Holy Spirit Hospital in Rome presented a scene in which bodies of those who recently died were arrayed around a wax statue of an angel who pointed upward towards heaven . In the same country, "parish priests went house-to-house, asking for small gifts of food which they shared among themselves throughout that night". In Spain, they continue to bake special pastries called "bones of
11592-589: The holiday. Haunted attractions are entertainment venues designed to thrill and scare patrons. Most attractions are seasonal Halloween businesses that may include haunted houses , corn mazes , and hayrides , and the level of sophistication of the effects has risen as the industry has grown. The first recorded purpose-built haunted attraction was the Orton and Spooner Ghost House, which opened in 1915 in Liphook , England. This attraction actually most closely resembles
11730-683: The holy" (Spanish: Huesos de Santo ) and set them on graves. At cemeteries in Spain and France, as well as in Latin America , priests lead Christian processions and services during Allhallowtide, after which people keep an all night vigil. In 19th-century San Sebastián , there was a procession to the city cemetery at Allhallowtide, an event that drew beggars who "appeal[ed] to the tender recollections of one's deceased relations and friends" for sympathy. Today's Halloween customs are thought to have been influenced by folk customs and beliefs from
11868-416: The household donated food it could expect good fortune from the 'Muck Olla'; not doing so would bring misfortune. In Scotland, youths went house-to-house with masked, painted or blackened faces, often threatening to do mischief if they were not welcomed. F. Marian McNeill suggests the ancient festival included people in costume representing the spirits, and that faces were marked or blackened with ashes from
12006-399: The houses they visit. It is estimated that children have collected more than $ 118 million for UNICEF since its inception. In Canada, in 2006, UNICEF decided to discontinue their Halloween collection boxes, citing safety and administrative concerns; after consultation with schools, they instead redesigned the program. The yearly New York's Village Halloween Parade was begun in 1974; it
12144-402: The intersection of Seashore Highway and Chaplains Chapel Road. About 75 teams competed, the event drew more than 20,000 people, and grossed more than $ 800,000 in ticket sales and associated revenues. More than 70% of that money would be donated to a variety of community organizations. Starting with the 2014 WCPCA event, festivities were to be held at Dover International Speedway in Dover , after
12282-410: The item they happened to find; for example, a ring meant marriage and a coin meant wealth. Up until the 19th century, the Halloween bonfires were also used for divination in parts of Scotland, Wales and Brittany. When the fire died down, a ring of stones would be laid in the ashes, one for each person. In the morning, if any stone was mislaid it was said that the person it represented would not live out
12420-509: The landowner in 2017, prompting them to cancel the World Championship for 2017. The lawsuit was dismissed in early 2019. The 2019 event was not televised on a traditional broadcast, cable or satellite outlet. The organizers streamed most of the festivities on Facebook Live . The 2023 event was also scheduled to stream on Facebook live but was disrupted when a rainstorm disrupted the Starlink Internet connection, with hopes of airing
12558-446: The landowner who hosted the event evicted the event from his property due to a 2011 lawsuit (one that was eventually settled out of court). However, the 2014 event was canceled due to logistics problems (the speedway did not have long enough of a straightaway to cover the one-mile distance the competition requires), and the contest was expected to be permanently shuttered prior to the 2015 contest due to insurance companies refusing to cover
12696-498: The last one due to the lawsuit and the related withdrawal of its television partner. 2018 came and went with the organization having gone silent, and no championship was held that year. In May 2019, the World Championship announced its intent to relocate to Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois , and return for 2019. Organizers cited better state protections against liability in Illinois compared to Delaware, Illinois' status as
12834-459: The late 19th century and early 20th century. Another popular Irish game was known as púicíní (" blindfolds "); a person would be blindfolded and then would choose between several saucers . The item in the saucer would provide a hint as to their future: a ring would mean that they would marry soon; clay , that they would die soon, perhaps within the year; water, that they would emigrate ; rosary beads , that they would take Holy Orders (become
12972-556: The liens, paying $ 965,000 in total. In 1973, it faced a near-boycott by the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association, who demanded an 8% purse increase and new paddock facilities. Although track leaders initially refused due to costs, an agreement was eventually reached. With attendance below expectations in early 1974, track general manager John Riddle acknowledged the facility's financial difficulties, stating that "I must admit that we are in
13110-435: The life cycle and rites of passage of local communities" and curbing them would have been difficult. In parts of Italy until the 15th century, families left a meal out for the ghosts of relatives, before leaving for church services . In 19th-century Italy, churches staged "theatrical re-enactments of scenes from the lives of the saints" on All Hallows' Day, with "participants represented by realistic wax figures". In 1823,
13248-753: The medieval period, up until the 1930s, people practiced the Christian custom of souling on Halloween, which involved groups of soulers, both Protestant and Catholic, going from parish to parish, begging the rich for soul cakes, in exchange for praying for the souls of the givers and their friends. In the Philippines, the practice of souling is called Pangangaluluwa and is practiced on All Hallows' Eve among children in rural areas. People drape themselves in white cloths to represent souls and then visit houses, where they sing in return for prayers and sweets. In Scotland and Ireland, guising —children disguised in costume going from door to door for food or coins—is
13386-403: The mid-to-late 19th century. The modern imagery of Halloween comes from many sources, including Christian eschatology , national customs, works of Gothic and horror literature (such as the novels Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus and Dracula ) and classic horror films such as Frankenstein (1931) and The Mummy (1932). Imagery of the skull , a reference to Golgotha in
13524-671: The night of All Hallows' Eve. One held a bunch of burning straw on a pitchfork while the rest knelt around him, praying for the souls of relatives and friends until the flames went out. This was known as teen'lay . There was a similar custom in Hertfordshire , and the lighting of 'tindle' fires in Derbyshire . Some suggested these 'tindles' were originally lit to "guide the poor souls back to earth". In Scotland and Ireland, old Allhallowtide customs that were at odds with Reformed teaching were not suppressed as they "were important to
13662-408: The peel tossed over the shoulder. The peel is believed to land in the shape of the first letter of the future spouse's name. Two hazelnuts would be roasted near a fire; one named for the person roasting them and the other for the person they desire. If the nuts jump away from the heat, it is a bad sign, but if the nuts roast quietly it foretells a good match. A salty oatmeal bannock would be baked;
13800-449: The person would eat it in three bites and then go to bed in silence without anything to drink. This is said to result in a dream in which their future spouse offers them a drink to quench their thirst. Unmarried women were told that if they sat in a darkened room and gazed into a mirror on Halloween night, the face of their future husband would appear in the mirror. The custom was widespread enough to be commemorated on greeting cards from
13938-432: The poor souls". The Allhallowtide custom of baking and sharing soul cakes for all christened souls, has been suggested as the origin of trick-or-treating. The custom dates back at least as far as the 15th century and was found in parts of England, Wales, Flanders, Bavaria and Austria . Groups of poor people, often children, would go door-to-door during Allhallowtide, collecting soul cakes, in exchange for praying for
14076-502: The primary backer and Joseph overseeing construction. This allowed the group to pay off the liens by July, and the opening was finally rescheduled for March 8, 1969. In February, Dover Downs received its horse racing license from the Delaware Racing Commission. After a year of construction delays, the $ 5.2 million facility held its first horse races on March 8, 1969, with Pinehurst and jockey Fred Kratz winning
14214-442: The project, an extension of the track's pit road, was completed by the 2009 Autism Speaks 400 , extending it by 432 feet (132 m). In 2014, Mike Tatoian, chief operating officer of Dover Motorsports, was assigned to replace McGlynn as president of DIS, with McGlynn remaining as the president of Dover Motorsports. The following year, track developers spent $ 2.9 million to install a new, 21-foot (6.4 m) catchfence to replace
14352-412: The protection of God when approaching their dwellings. At Samhain, the Aos Sí were appeased to ensure the people and livestock survived the winter. Offerings of food and drink, or portions of the crops, were left outside for them. The souls of the dead were also said to revisit their homes seeking hospitality . Places were set at the dinner table and by the fire to welcome them. The belief that
14490-446: The related guising and souling ), attending Halloween costume parties, carving pumpkins or turnips into jack-o'-lanterns , lighting bonfires , apple bobbing , divination games, playing pranks , visiting haunted attractions , telling frightening stories, and watching horror or Halloween-themed films . Some people practice the Christian observances of All Hallows' Eve, including attending church services and lighting candles on
14628-588: The sacred bonfire. In parts of Wales, men went about dressed as fearsome beings called gwrachod . In the late 19th and early 20th century, young people in Glamorgan and Orkney cross-dressed . Elsewhere in Europe, mumming was part of other festivals, but in the Celtic-speaking regions, it was "particularly appropriate to a night upon which supernatural beings were said to be abroad and could be imitated or warded off by human wanderers". From at least
14766-572: The so-called ghosts are thought to be in actuality evil spirits". Other Protestants believed in an intermediate state known as Hades ( Bosom of Abraham ). In some localities, Catholics and Protestants continued souling, candlelit processions , or ringing church bells for the dead; the Anglican church eventually suppressed this bell-ringing. Mark Donnelly, a professor of medieval archaeology , and historian Daniel Diehl write that "barns and homes were blessed to protect people and livestock from
14904-470: The souls of the dead from falling to earth". Later, these bonfires "kept away the devil ". From at least the 16th century, the festival included mumming and guising in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Wales. This involved people going house-to-house in costume (or in disguise), usually reciting verses or songs in exchange for food. It may have originally been a tradition whereby people impersonated
15042-909: The souls of the dead return home on one night of the year and must be appeased seems to have ancient origins and is found in many cultures. In 19th century Ireland, "candles would be lit and prayers formally offered for the souls of the dead. After this the eating, drinking, and games would begin". Throughout Ireland and Britain, especially in the Celtic-speaking regions, the household festivities included divination rituals and games intended to foretell one's future, especially regarding death and marriage. Apples and nuts were often used, and customs included apple bobbing , nut roasting, scrying or mirror-gazing, pouring molten lead or egg whites into water, dream interpretation , and others. Special bonfires were lit and there were rituals involving them. Their flames, smoke, and ashes were deemed to have protective and cleansing powers. In some places, torches lit from
15180-419: The split, the auto racing facility changed its name to Dover International Speedway (DIS). In 2004, DIS started the process of installing of SAFER barriers to increase track safety. The project was faced with engineering difficulties but was eventually completed in time for the 2005 MBNA RacePoints 400 . In May 2006, McGlynn announced a five-year renovation plan for DIS, focused on expanding amenities around
15318-511: The state of Delawarean horse racing, oversaw heavy turmoil in the late 1980s and most of the 1990s. In 1989, alongside other horse racing tracks in Delaware, McGlynn started to advocate publicly for the legalization of slot machines in the state of Delaware. A bill to legalize slot machines in Delaware, H.B. 297, was passed by both chambers of the Delaware Legislature by June 30. However, then-Delaware Governor Mike Castle vetoed
15456-519: The teams heading to the event, and then the event itself, each hosted by Zach Selwyn and Mike Senese . 2010 was hosted by Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage of the Discovery Channel program MythBusters . From 2011 to 2013, the special was hosted by MythBusters "Build Team" members Tory Belleci , Kari Byron , and Grant Imahara . Clip shows compiling footage of previous Punkin Chunkin events aired in 2014 and 2015. During taping of
15594-583: The time of the early Church , major feasts in Christianity (such as Christmas , Easter and Pentecost ) had vigils that began the night before, as did the feast of All Hallows. These three days are collectively called Allhallowtide and are a time when Western Christians honour all saints and pray for recently departed souls who have yet to reach Heaven. Commemorations of all saints and martyrs were held by several churches on various dates, mostly in springtime. In 4th-century Roman Edessa it
15732-490: The top floor of the hotel caused by an open pipe. In July 2001, McGlynn stated hopes to separate Dover Downs' auto racing business and its horse racing and casino business as two separate companies, with the casino and horse racing facilities being named under Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment. The split was completed in April 2002, with the auto racing facility now being owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc. As part of
15870-492: The track downsized. In 2021, SMI acquired Dover Motorsports . Dover Motor Speedway (DMS) in its current form is measured at 1-mile (1.6 km), with 24° of banking in the turns and 9° of banking on the track's straightaways. Located within the Dover Motor Speedway a 5 ⁄ 8 -mile (1.0 km) horse racing track that is currently part of Bally's Dover , which is not owned by Speedway Motorsports ; it
16008-512: The track had a projected cost of $ 1.5 million (adjusted for inflation, $ 13,706,587), with amenities including 10,000 seats and a clubhouse, with room to expand to include a future convention center. The plan received mostly positive reception from the Delaware General Assembly , with local lawmakers favoring changing laws in order to legally build the track. After Buckson's bill, known as Senate Bill 201, initially experienced
16146-488: The track's old 15-foot (4.6 m) catchfence. Starting in the late 2000s, DIS oversaw capacity and economic decline. In May 2009, seating capacity was decreased by approximately 7,000. By 2011, attendance at DIS' NASCAR Cup Series races had dropped to under 90,000, over 50,000 less than what attendance was at its peak; the drop was blamed on economic effects of the Great Recession . In 2012, developers initiated
16284-468: The track's property along with expanding the width of DIS' pit road. The project was split into three phases. The first phase of the project was completed in time for the 2007 Autism Speaks 400 , with additional parking and luxury seating options being constructed. Phase two was completed by the running of the 2008 Camping World RV 400 , which included the construction of a monument honoring past winners at DIS alongside an expanded fan zone. Phase three of
16422-525: The track’s owner, Riddle, had previously refused. In a controversial decision, du Pont approved the $ 500,000 (adjusted for inflation, $ 2,335,714) annual tax break on February 21. Despite this, Riddle later admitted the track would still see a small loss. In April 1979, Riddle resigned to join NASCAR as their executive vice president. Riddle maintained that he thought the track was in a stable financial state, proclaiming that "I really believe that this racetrack
16560-430: The trunks of cars parked in a church parking lot", or sometimes, a school parking lot. In a trunk-or-treat event, the trunk (boot) of each automobile is decorated with a certain theme, such as those of children's literature, movies, scripture , and job roles . Trunk-or-treating has grown in popularity due to its perception as being more safe than going door to door, a point that resonates well with parents, as well as
16698-454: The turn of the 20th century and the 1920s commonly show children but not trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treating does not seem to have become a widespread practice in North America until the 1930s, with the first US appearances of the term in 1934, and the first use in a national publication occurring in 1939. A popular variant of trick-or-treating, known as trunk-or-treating (or Halloween tailgating), occurs when "children are offered treats from
16836-483: The winter of 1977, attendance dropped 16% due to new horse racing tracks. Later that year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated possible race-fixing at the track. After Governor Pete du Pont vetoed an initial tax break bill in October, another bill was proposed, this time with state officials involved. Du Pont agreed to sign it only if he could release Dover Downs' financial records, which
16974-475: The year. In Mexico, children create altars to invite the spirits of deceased children to return ( angelitos ). Telling ghost stories , listening to Halloween-themed songs and watching horror films are common fixtures of Halloween parties. Episodes of television series and Halloween-themed specials (with the specials usually aimed at children) are commonly aired on or before Halloween, while new horror films are often released before Halloween to take advantage of
17112-482: The year. Road to Punkin Chunkin 2011 featured three 30-minute episodes airing weekly leading up to Thanksgiving. The first televised Punkin Chunkin special was aired by the Discovery Channel in 2002, hosted by Bryan Callen . In 2008, after a six-year hiatus, Punkin Chunkin returned to cable television on the Science channel as a 1-hour program, hosted by Brad Sherwood . 2009 brought a two-episode broadcast covering
17250-420: The yield limits, stiffness, pitch, and elevation of the hurler, and the weather. The choice of pumpkin is another important variable; Casper, Lumina, and La Estrella are the most common varieties used for competitions since they tend to have thicker rinds than other varieties and can thus withstand greater forces during launch. One of the core rules for competition is that the pumpkin must remain whole after leaving
17388-479: Was a Germanic idea, although it is claimed that both Germanic and Celtic-speaking peoples commemorated the dead at the beginning of winter. They may have seen it as the most fitting time to do so, as it is a time of 'dying' in nature. It is also suggested the change was made on the "practical grounds that Rome in summer could not accommodate the great number of pilgrims who flocked to it", and perhaps because of public health concerns over Roman Fever , which claimed
17526-523: Was able to convince McGlynn otherwise, with plans to install 500 machines in March 1995. However, the installation was delayed by months, with test runs not occurring until December 22 and the official opening occurring seven days later. In the first months of slot machines, Dover Downs and Delaware Park Racetrack both oversaw increased profit, with Dover Downs expanding their number of slot machines to 1,000 to accommodate increased demand. By November 1996, $ 800,000 worth of renovations were invested into
17664-407: Was completed by September of that year, costing approximately $ 500,000. Starting in the mid-1980s, Dover Downs International Speedway expanded drastically. In 1986 and 1987, 3,200 new seats were added for each year. The following year, 5,100 seats added near Dover Downs International Speedway's main grandstand were added, increasing seating capacity to 41,000. In March 1989, the addition of both of
17802-506: Was dropped to 54,000. In May 2019, DIS began work on a $ 5.5 million project focused on expanding its garage surface area by 20%; the project was completed in time for the 2019 Drydene 400 . In December 2021, ownership of the track changed hands when Dover Motorsports was bought out by Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI) for $ 131.5 million. As part of the purchase, the track's name changed to Dover Motor Speedway. As of 2024, DMS holds one annual NASCAR Cup Series race, currently known as
17940-602: Was first introduced in 1993 as a tyrannosaurus rex , and was later re-introduced in 2000 in its current form. In 2008, the Monster Monument, a 46-foot (14 m) statue of Miles the Monster, was erected to honor past winners at DMS. On June 18, 1967, David P. Buckson , the Attorney General of Delaware , announced intentions of building a 5 ⁄ 8 mile (1.0 km) horse racing facility near U.S. Route 13 named Delaware Downs. In initial plans,
18078-451: Was for sale but denied impending bankruptcy. Despite DDR's issues, DDIS remained profitable, with The Morning News noting that auto racing was unaffected by the complex's financial troubles. In 1975, a tax break bill passed to assist Dover Downs if it resumed thoroughbred racing, easing some financial pressure. However, a year later, auditors found Dover Downs owed $ 49,000 (adjusted for inflation, $ 262,365) in unpaid admission taxes. In
18216-553: Was held on 13 May, and on 13 May 609, Pope Boniface IV re-dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to "St Mary and all martyrs". This was the date of Lemuria , an ancient Roman festival of the dead. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III (731–741) founded an oratory in St Peter's for the relics "of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors". Some sources say it was dedicated on 1 November, while others say it
18354-562: Was on Palm Sunday in April 732. By 800, there is evidence that churches in Ireland and Northumbria were holding a feast commemorating all saints on 1 November. Alcuin of Northumbria, a member of Charlemagne 's court, may then have introduced this 1 November date in the Frankish Empire . In 835, it became the official date in the Frankish Empire. Some suggest this was due to Celtic influence, while others suggest it
18492-401: Was open to compromise. A rewritten bill, H.B. 628 that allowed the state to take a bigger share of profits and required slot machines to be relicensed every four years, was passed by both chambers, with Carper allowing the bill to become law without his signature. Although McGlynn initially stating that he would not install slot machines due to a lack of profit for Dover Downs, Rollins
18630-558: Was outright illegal to host the event in Maryland due to firearms laws in that state, limiting options for returning the contest to Delmarva as they had hoped. There was no event in 2020, 2021, 2022 or 2024. In 2023, the World Championship Punkin Chunkin, in lieu of holding their own competition, licensed the brand to Punkin Chunkin International, who held a World Championship in a field east of Vinita, Oklahoma , on October 28 of that year. The Science Channel carried
18768-627: Was prevalent in Scotland and Ireland at Halloween by the late 19th century. A Scottish term, the tradition is called "guising" because of the disguises or costumes worn by the children. In Ireland and Scotland, the masks are known as 'false faces', a term recorded in Ayr, Scotland in 1890 by a Scot describing guisers: "I had mind it was Halloween ... the wee callans (boys) were at it already, rinning aboot wi' their fause-faces (false faces) on and their bits o' turnip lanthrons (lanterns) in their haun (hand)". Costuming became popular for Halloween parties in
18906-535: Was seen as a liminal time, when the boundary between this world and the Otherworld thinned. This meant the Aos Sí , the 'spirits' or ' fairies ', could more easily come into this world and were particularly active. Most scholars see them as "degraded versions of ancient gods [...] whose power remained active in the people's minds even after they had been officially replaced by later religious beliefs". They were both respected and feared, with individuals often invoking
19044-403: Was sustained by its NASCAR events and financial support from then-owner John W. Rollins . Expansion took place in the 1980s and 1990s, spurred by the rise in popularity of NASCAR in the 1980s and the legalization of slot machines in Delaware in the mid-1990s. In 2002, ownership was split, with Dover Motorsports taking over the auto racing oval. Following the Great Recession in the late 2000s,
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