On Saturday, Oct. 27, Kennedy Union will host a late night pumpkin carving competition, carrying on the tradition derived from the story of “Stingy Jack.”
The event is sponsored by the University of Dayton’s Campus Activities Board, an organization dedicated to providing activities and events for UD students.
Originating from Irish folklore, the Jack-o-lantern developed in America centuries ago and has remained an emblem of Halloween, according to history.com.
According to the Irish tale, “Stingy Jack” fooled the devil into transforming himself into a coin to pay for his drinks. He then forged a deal with the devil, promising him amnesty from the devil’s harm. After his death, Stingy Jack was forced to wander with nothing but a burning coal because neither God nor the devil was pleased with his trickery.
As the story goes, Stingy Jack placed this coal into a hollowed-out turnip. When this tale reached America, the pumpkin replaced the turnip and the Jack-o-lantern became a Halloween tradition.
Even with the majority of freshmen and sophomores living in dorms and apartments, this tradition remains prevalent in houses and dining halls.
Plastic ghosts, a fake pumpkin and orange lights embellish freshman political science major Emma Cardone’s dorm room. Halloween is embedded into her
family’s traditions.
“Every year, my family and I and these two other families would get together for what we called pumpkin fest,” Cardone said. “We’d have a whole day of going to a pumpkin farm where we’d go on hay rides, go through a corn maze and buy honey sticks. But, the biggest part was going to pick out your pumpkin.”
She said that she is not a fan of scary Halloween themes, but enjoys the tamer parts of the holiday.
“Pumpkin carving was the one thing that I liked about Halloween,” Cardone said.
Freshman Dominic Sanfilippo, an English and human rights major, carved his first pumpkin on campus. Under the canopy of trees, he and his girlfriend carved his first pumpkin on the tables outside Marycrest Circle.
“[Pumpkin carving] is definitely something everybody should experience every Halloween,” Sanfilippo said.
All UD students can take part in this tradition for free at KU on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m.
For more information, contact Dayton CAB at daytoncab@gmail.com or 937-229-3314.
