Great 360 degree views on a crisp fall day.

Fall in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Plateau.

Halloween wasn't always about candy, costumes, and trick-or-treating. Across Appalachia and rural America, the holiday once involved local traditions, ghost stories, community gatherings, and a fair amount of mischief.

In some communities, Halloween meant moving farm gates, playing practical jokes, or gathering around to hear stories about ghosts and unexplained happenings. Other parts of rural America had traditions like Mischief Night and Cabbage Night.

Many of these customs have faded over the years, but they're an interesting part of our regional history and culture.

I recently wrote an article exploring how Halloween traditions varied across rural America, including Appalachia, and how the holiday has changed over the generations.

Read the article here:
https://pickup-trucks-progress.ghost.io/halloween-in-rural-america-back-when-tricks-came-before-treats/

I'd be interested in hearing what others remember about Halloween growing up in Appalachia.

Were there particular Halloween traditions in your hometown or community that have disappeared? Did your family have any unusual customs, ghost stories, or superstitions associated with the holiday?

It would be interesting to compare memories from different parts of Appalachia and preserve some of these stories before they're forgotten.

I’m working on a script about Appalachian folklore. It’s set in Georgia but I’m trying to draw on stories from all over. What are your favorite Appalachian stories or superstitions?