It’s fitting that a character trapped in an earthly purgatory should become the lasting symbol of Halloween, a time when people are as wont to offer a “trick” as a “treat”. Granted, things don’t turn out too swell for ole Jackie boy either. Eventually, the devil comes to claim Jack, but as we already know, that plan does not go swimmingly. The angel reluctantly grants these wishes, but he makes a mental note that this Jack fellow, when the time comes, should not be allowed into heaven. Wish #3: anyone who borrows Jack’s tools will be stuck to the spot. Wish #2: anyone who takes a bough from Jack’s sycamore tree will be stuck to the spot. Wish #1: anyone who sits in Jack’s chair will be stuck to the spot. And this is where Jack’s true colors (and lack of imagination) begin to shine through. The angel, who is clearly a fan of One Thousand and One Nights, grants Jack three wishes. Twist! The old man is an angel in disguise. In it, Jack, acting out of character, helps an old man on the side of the road. Hence, “Jack of the Lantern,” which is later shortened to “Jack O’Lantern.”īy which I mean: There’s a lot more to the story.įor starters, there’s the beginning of the story, which most sources ( the Irish Times notwithstanding) neglect. Jack carves out a turnip and sticks the coal inside, creating a lantern. But because the devil is not totally heartless (wait…), he tosses Jack a lump of burning coal from hell so he can have a bit of light. So, what is Jack’s fate? To wander forever in eternal darkness, of course. God, meanwhile, refuses to let Jack into heaven. He was an asshole.) The devil, true to his word, refuses to let Jack into hell. Jack frees the devil in exchange for ten years of peace. Another (bad) deal is struck, although this one does have the advantage of being slightly less bad than the previous one. Once the devil is up in the tree, Jack carves a cross into the trunk. He convinces the devil to climb a tree so he might enjoy a delicious piece of fruit. And it is a bad deal - because guess what? A year later, the devil comes back to mess with Jack.
#JACKO LANTERN FESTIVAL FREE#
Jack sets the devil free and, in return, the devil agrees A) to bar Jack from entering hell when he dies, and B) to leave Jack alone for a year.Ī quick aside: This seems like a bad deal. And much to the devil-coin’s dismay, there is a silver cross in that pocket, preventing him from returning to his original form. But when the devil obliges, Jack sticks the coin in his pocket. He convinces the devil to shape-shift into a coin to cover the tab. Here’s the most common version of the 18th-century Irish folktale:Ī grumpy bastard of a blacksmith by the name of Stingy Jack invites the devil for a drink but refuses to pay (hence, the “stingy” descriptor). Listen, my children, and you shall hear, of the midnight meddling of Stingy Jack, from whom the jack-o’-lantern derives its name. What if it’s in my blood? The Irish Origins of the Jack-O’-Lantern Growing up a stone’s throw away from Salem (of witch trials fame), Halloween was always a big deal.īut what if my love of jack-o’-lanterns goes deeper than that? For years, I believed it was my Massachusetts upbringing that instilled this passion in me. “The Hollowed Harvest brings to life many of Halloween’s beloved tales that are sure to amaze audiences of all ages! We’re excited to bring this new Halloween tradition to the Buffalo region, and look forward to sharing the wonderful Jack-O’-Lantern displays with the community” said Matthew Glaser, CEO of BOLD Media, the parent company operating the event.But I’m not giving up! I am admittedly addicted to the art of pumpkin carving, and more specifically, to the art of creating jack-o’-lanterns with big ole teeth and grotesque expressions. Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased in advance for time slots that are first-come first-served.
#JACKO LANTERN FESTIVAL FULL#
You can find more information, a full schedule and a link to buy tickets here. The spectacle will open at the Niagara County Fairgrounds Friday and remain open Thursday to Sunday through October 31. Those who attend can expect to take about 35 to 40 minutes to walk through the entire show.
Officials say Hollowed Harvest is designed for audiences of all ages and will feature dozens of larger-than-life jack-o’-lantern displays made with over 7,000 jack-o’-lanterns. (WKBW) - Hollowed Harvest, a jack-o’-lantern spectacle, will begin at the Niagara County Fairgrounds Friday.
0 kommentar(er)
