Trick or treaters will be out in force on Sunday October 31 to celebrate Halloween

Despite popular belief, the holiday originated in Ireland with the Celtic Pagan festival of Samhain where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

Ararat resident Lisa Townsend started the Trick or Treating Community Group on Facebook "out of necessity" to help trick or treaters navigate their way through town.

"I have been running this page for about seven years and we currently have over 400 people in our group," she said.

"Before that I was taking my kids trick or treating where we saw Halloween decorations, but noticed people on Facebook complaining that random kids were showing up on their door steps and not realising it was Halloween.

"I created the group out of necessity so we knew exactly where we could go."

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Mrs Townsend said Halloween was an event for everyone to enjoy.

"Trick-or treating is a great family activity," she said.

"We're really lucky Halloween is usually a warm day so it's great to get out for a walk or drive and see the neighbourhood, it's really great seeing parents getting involved too and they seem to be enjoying themselves too."

Mrs Townsend said she celebrated the holiday for as long as she could remember.

"I love everything Halloween, the movies, the decorations and of course the trick or treaters," she said.

"I love the fact that the kids can get excited for it and it's very much a day for them to get dressed up and who doesn't love treats?

"I'm almost ashamed to say I very much love the Americanised version however I do acknowledge and understand the strong Pagan ties that began it all.

"Although my kids are older, if they are home when I have trick or treaters at the door they fight over who gets to give out lollies."

Mrs Townsend encouraged anyone planning on trick or treating to abide by the current COVID-19 restrictions.

"With COVID-19 we have to be extra cautious and we do have to abide by our regional rules," she said.

"We have to stay 1.5m apart, masks for anyone over 12 etc, I do recommend a sanitise station and don't put out a communal candy bowl but have lollies prepackaged instead.

"Anyone can join the Facebook group or simply decorate their houses with something as simple as a pumpkin somewhere prominent to let kids know it's ok to trick or treat there."

Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/903124183070536

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