Halloween
Do you remember Fox Night?
In Great Britain, Nov. 4 is Fawkes Night, but in Duluth in the 1970s and ’80s, the night before Halloween was “Fox Night.” It was a warm-up for Halloween, with no costumes and no candy — instead it focused entirely on vandalism and mischief.
I’ve talked to plenty of people about this, and for the most part, people don’t know what I’m talking about. But people who grew up in a certain time in a certain place know it all too well. And it’s interesting to think about how this happened. How did Guy Fawkes Night make its way to the Midwest, change its date, and alter its name for this brief period of time?
Duluth was not alone in the celebration, if you can call it that. Wikipedia calls it Mischief Night, and pins it down as a primarily East Coast phenomenon with roots reaching back to the 18th century. It lists many alternative names, but does not mention Fox Night.
- Hackers Night
- Goosey Night
- Cabbage Night
- Gate Night
- Mat Night
- Devil’s Night
- Mischievous Night
- Miggy Night
- Tick-Tack Night
- Corn Night
- Trick Night
- Micky Night
- Cabbage Stalk Night
- Mizzy Night
In 2003, a bunch of PDDers brought back an adult version of Fox Night, which was basically barhopping while acting like a jerk. If memory serves, it involved a lot of duct tape and firecrackers.
So what are your memories of Fox Night? Did you participate? Were you ever toilet papered, egged, or soaped? When did it originate here? When did it end?
Home dressed as the White house for Halloween
Be wary of any loose wall outlets, and don’t mind the smell of gasoline in the carpet.
My wife and I decided to turn our front window into a Breaking Bad themed display so our house could dress up for the holidays as a meth kingpin’s abandoned home.
For Your Halloween Listening Pleasure
Wolf Blood rocked the CDs off the shelf on KUMD’s “The Local” last night. Listen to their performance/interview with DJ E on the Local podcast.
Halloween Demon Interview
I got to sit down in the new Kirby Student Lounge with the Duluth Demon early Halloween morning. He showed up in full costume, including his usual mask, a body suit, gloves and boots. He was polite, at ease, and very easy to talk to. (more…)
Scary Duluth Basements
There are so many potentially creepy houses in Duluth, especially along Greysolon Road. Aren’t you just dying to know what’s in the basement? Could be catacombs of dead people you weren’t aware of, or an ancient demon perhaps.
Rooms can be very difficult to photograph, but post your photos/video tours here anyway. If you think the space is creepy but the photo doesn’t convey it, feel free to add some description as to why this place is so dreadfully scary.
Glensheen’s Spooktacular Tips
You probably know that Glensheen is hosting a display of 1,000 Jack O’ Lanterns starting tonight. It’s a gorgeous presentation and it’s one of those few events that is actually fun for adults, as well as children. No trick or treatin’, no costumes – it’s more a visual celebration of autumn.
But, PDD’rs here’s a little inside baseball for you.
– Try to walk if you can; parking in the Glensheen lot is a bear. There’s construction going on that’s taking up part of an already smallish lot.
– SATURDAY ONLY: There’s a shuttle from UMD’s Lot W running about every 20 minutes.
(more…)
A little early with his Halloween jokes
Duluth News Tribune cartoon by R. D. Handy from 100 years ago — Oct. 23, 1913.
Duluth Demon
Just in time for Halloween the Duluth Demon emerges and has been seen lurking around UMD. It seems he was last seen terrorizing people in Bagley Park and has not broken character yet. An article from the UMD Statesman explains his presence. The demon can also be found on Facebook.
Spooktacular
We attended the Spooktacular at Glensheen on Saturday. It was awesome. If you’ve not been, Sunday is another chance, and it’s worth every penny. Firedancer performs at 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m.
PS: Firedancer: Who recorded the music you dance to? It’s been a long time since I heard elektro-goth stuff like that.
Someone stole my kids pumpkins again!
I have had it. On and off over the years that I have lived on 43rd Avenue East my childrens’ pumpkins have been stolen. The first year they were smashed against our sidewalk after they had been carved. Another year they were just stolen. Last year we rigged them to spray water if they were moved and put up a sign as such; they were not stolen. This year we thought we could thwart the person by buying 70-pound-plus-size pumpkins from my brother-in-law figuring it would be too much effort to get a car to steal them. Well, this morning I come outside and all five of our extra large pumpkins are gone.
The kids are devastated. They picked out these “Cindrella” pumpkins from their uncle in Wadena and were really excited to carve them. Who does this type of thing? I’m going to drive around Lakeside during lunch today and look for them. If you stole them, please bring them back. You made for some very sad children this morning.
Halloween 1911: The Quietest in History?
From the Duluth News Tribune, 100 years ago.
Damn kids will make life miserable for older Duluthians
From the Duluth News Tribune, 1895:
Haunted Halloween Yard on Grandview Avenue by Chester Park
I’m wondering who would be interested in helping with the event at Tom Grier’s on Halloween night (902 Grandview Ave., Duluth). I realize everyone has a busy schedule, and Halloween falls on a Monday but … Tom and I could really use your help! We have already started setting some things up today and yesterday and want to make this year one to remember.
I had to cut out a huge section about specifics, but he needs actors and techies to help out at the city’s best haunted house!
Thanks to all and please email me directly ASAP if you can, in any way, help out! (mnordin41 @ gmail.com)
Scare on,
Mike Nordin
Zombies invade UMD Oct. 27
Join us for a zombie-themed symposium that is free and open to the public. Six UMD professors will give talks about how their work relates to zombies. Refreshments appropriate for the topic will be served. BYOB (Bring Your Own Brain). (more…)
Ghosts of Halloween Past
A pair of photos from the Boogieman Project — the NorShor Theatre’s Halloween party on Oct. 28, 2000. (more…)
Zombie! Zombie! Zombie!
Dracula will be playing live on the silk screen while Heavy J rocks your heads off. Zombie!
Duluth Halloween Parties in 2010
So, we were going to go to the Emerson party again this year, but we heard that it isn’t happening. We also heard the NorShor isn’t doing anything. So, that leaves us looking for something else. Any suggestions?
What’s your favorite Halloween costume?
I’m having trouble deciding what costume to wear this year. Anyone have any suggestions? What’s the best costume you’ve ever seen/dressed in?
Mad Monster Party
Just in time for the Elections Halloween, I stumbled across Mad Monster Party. I’ve seen a lot of Rankin/Bass stuff, but have never even heard of this one. This is a making of, split into two parts. (more…)
Halloween 2010 at R.T. Quinlan’s
Friday, Oct. 29, 10pm – $5 – 21+
Black-eyed Snakes
The Acceleratti
American Rebels
Bratwurst
Saturday, Oct. 30, 10pm – $5 – 21+
Rock Brigade
The Surfactants
w/ Special Guests
Pumpkin tales
Wondering if anyone else has some good before and after pumpkin pics.
Duluth Halloween 2009 Party Guide
Howie Mandell (from St. Elsewhere), as seen at RT Quinlan’s on Halloween of 2008
Once again, Superior Street is coming out in full-force this Halloween night, and will undoubtedly be lined with zombies, sluts, slutty zombies, and probably even a Balloon Boy or two. Every bar in town has a “Halloween bash” and costume contest, of course. But here are a few events I’m aware of that sound like they’ll rise considerably above the average Halloween party, which is something when you consider that even the average Halloween party is pretty choice.
Feel free to leave any events I’ve missed in the comments, and I’ll add them to the list. They don’t have to be in Downtown Duluth or even in Duluth at all for that matter.
Most of all, have fun, be safe, and let’s all hope the lights don’t go out again this year.
“Evil Dead” is campy Halloween fun for adults
Evil Dead: The Musical is definitely worth checking out.
Halloween Banners
It’s October 1st, and that means the best holiday in the world is only 30 days away. We’re looking for Halloween banners for PDD. There have been a few showing up in the rotation, but if you have more, send ’em in. We want to display Halloween-only banners on Halloween. Remember, here are the rules. Images must be 960 pixels wide by 167 pixels high. Don’t stretch the image to make it fit those dimensions, that always looks poopy. Believe it or not, we have standards here. The Perfect Duluth Day logo will be added by PDD’s art department. If you’d like to add the logo yourself, here’s a layered Photoshop template.
The lower portion of banner photos serve as background to the navigation bar, so crop your image with that in mind. Make sure essential elements are not in the area that will be obscured.
E-mail the masterpieces to banners @ perfectduluthday.com
To view the banners on PDD, click here.
To view the huge pile of PDD banners on Flickr, click here. Feel free to add tags or fun facts about your photos in the Flickr comments.