In St. Louis, Trick-or-Treaters Have to Put in Extra Effort for Their Candy

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I reside in St. Louis, Missouri, where we boast pride in Nelly and revere the Cardinals like royalty. Our local cuisine includes well-known dishes like toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, not to mention Imo’s pizza topped with provel cheese. (Feel free to look up St. Louis-style pizza!) When it comes to Halloween, we take our festivities to another level. Here, trick-or-treating isn’t just about collecting candy; it’s an art form.

Halloween as an Art Form

In St. Louis, Halloween is as much about entertainment as it is about the treats. To earn your sweets, you must deliver a joke. And trust me, it’s a competitive scene. Kids spend as much time thinking of their trick-or-treating jokes as they do choosing costumes. No two kids in a group can share the same punchline, and each joke seems to outshine the last.

Recycling old pop culture jokes or opting for the classic “Why did the chicken cross the road?” is a definite no-go. Adults anticipate laughter, and laughter we deliver. There’s nothing quite like seeing a little one nervously conjuring up a joke on the fly or a small child repeating their older sibling’s line. It truly warms the heart.

The Joy of Jokes

Occasionally, a joke may fall flat. Adults will still chuckle and commend the effort, tossing in a Hershey Bar or two. Kids, however, can be more unpredictable. I’ll never forget the year my four-year-old nephew encountered a joke that didn’t amuse him. Instead of handing out a simple Twix, he dove into the kid’s candy bucket and grabbed a handful! It’s one of my all-time favorite Halloween memories. (Don’t worry; the child got his candy back, plus a few extra pieces.)

Every now and then, a child’s joke might veer into “inappropriate” territory. Often, they don’t fully grasp the humor, or they’ve been encouraged by a friend. When my son was seven, he became a local sensation after his older brothers convinced him that a certain off-color joke was hilarious.

Favorite Halloween Jokes

What kinds of jokes can you expect during Halloween? They vary greatly. Some kids stick to knock-knock jokes, while others prefer spooky themes. Here are a few long-time favorites:

What do you call a bear with no teeth? Gummy!
A ham sandwich walks into a bar. The bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve food here.”
How do you make a Kleenex dance? Put a little boogie in it!
Knock knock! Who’s there? Interrupting cow. Interrupt—Mooooooo!
What’s a ghost’s favorite dessert? Booberry pie!
Did you hear about the haunted KFC? It was terr-i-fry-ing!
Why couldn’t the spicy pepper dress like Robin Hood for Halloween? He didn’t hab-an-ero!
What do you call a magic dog? A lab-ra-ca-dab-ra-dor!
Have you heard about the elephant with diarrhea? It’s all over town!

Corny? Sure. But it’s absolutely heartwarming to see a tiny witch or a fearsome monster give their best comedic performance. I wish more people could experience this unique tradition. Interestingly, my husband, who grew up just 30 minutes away, had never encountered it until he moved here. For me, Halloween wouldn’t feel right any other way.

The Origins of the Tradition

Where did this tradition originate? Legend has it that it stems from the strong Irish influence in St. Louis. According to local historian Dr. John Oldani, over a century ago, people in Ireland dressed up for a festival, going door to door in disguise and entertaining with jokes or tricks to earn gifts that warded off evil spirits. The Irish brought this custom to St. Louis, blending it into our Halloween celebrations.

Regardless of its origins, this practice has become a cherished tradition for those of us growing up here. It would be wonderful if this caught on in other towns, as it adds an extra layer of joy and memory to the night for kids and adults alike.

Elevate Your Halloween

So, if you want to elevate your Halloween this year, let a kid’s clever joke bring some laughter to your doorstep. Every city has its own delightful foods and customs, but nothing compares to our Halloween festivities. And if you want to start a new tradition in your neighborhood, here’s a classic:

How does Batman’s mom call him for dinner? Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner … Batmaaaan!

For more insights, check out one of our other blog posts, which discusses various aspects of parenting. And if you’re looking for reliable information on pregnancy, visit March of Dimes for great resources. For those interested in home insemination kits, Make a Mom is an authority on the topic.

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In summary, Halloween in St. Louis is not just about trick-or-treating; it’s a delightful event where children share jokes to earn their treats. This unique tradition fosters creativity and laughter, making it a cherished experience for all involved.

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