Kids Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in Des Moines, First Time Since 1938

For the first time since 1938, kids in Iowa’s capitol will go trick-or-treating on Halloween.

The City of Des Moines began a tradition 86 years ago known as “Beggars’ Night,” which is typically held one night before All Hallows Eve. according to the State Historical Society of Iowa. Kids still go door to door to get candy, but they tell a joke to get candy.

This year, city officials postponed the usual festivities by one day after severe thunderstorms were predicted to impact the area on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Now, kids in Des Moines will get to go trick-or-treating on the same night as everyone else. 

Assistant City Manager Jen Schulte said “the safety of our residents, families and children is always our top priority,” which “led to the change” this year, according to the Associated Press.

“Don’t fret, this spooky weather won’t keep the fun away,” city officials added in a post on Facebook.

Beggars’ Night was created in the late 1930s in response to vandalism being caused by young people on Halloween night, according to the historical society.

The Halloween before the tradition was implemented, “Des Moines police answered 550 reports of vandalism involving pre-teens and teenagers,” who were engaging in activities such as “soaping windows, sidelining streetcars, setting fires and throwing bricks through windows.”

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In just a few years, the Historical Society said the number of Halloween-related calls to police “had been cut in half.”

Beggars’ Nights are also held in cities like Buffalo, N.Y., and Columbus, Ohio, according to ABC affiliate WOI-DT.

The goal of Beggars’ Night, according to city officials, is “to provide a safe and festive trick-or-treating experience for Des Moines children and families.”

Safety was also at the heart of moving this year’s festivities.

“Seeing that, it’s going to be potentially a dangerous situation with lightning, we just thought it was in everybody’s best interest to give as much notice to the families as possible so they can arrange their schedules,” said Matt Anderson, the Deputy City Manager for Des Moines, per WOI-DT.

Debbie Westphal Swander, a West Des Moines costume shop owner, told the AP, “The big picture for me is, it’s absolutely about the kids. That’s the most important thing.”