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Canada’s “pumpkin capital” has uncovered a long lost Halloween tradition that might be the solution to celebrating during the pandemic.
Kristal Chopp, Mayor of Norfolk County announced the discovery of historical documents connected to a long-lost Halloween tradition and legend known as Peter Peter Pumpkin Treater.
Mayor Chopp said the town hopes the discovery will give children in Canada and beyond a chance to safely experience the magic of Halloween, even if they can't go trick-or-treating.
The old tradition was discovered when Norfolk Town Historian Frances Folk was searching for a document in the town archives.
She discovered two pages that appeared to be torn from a book, likely from the mid-19th century.
The first page contained a nursery rhyme, or song, about someone named 'Peter Peter Pumpkin Treater' - a folklore figure linked to the night before Halloween.
The second page contained a diagram indicating how to celebrate the tradition.
"It appears that after a pumpkin was carved, seeds were given to children to place in a pot or garden,” explained Folk.
“Upon awakening the next morning, a sweet treat would greet the child. All to help this Peter Peter Pumpkin Treater keep the pumpkin population healthy."
Mayor Chopp said the discovery could not only save Halloween in 2020, but change it for the better going forward, creating two occasions for kids to celebrate.
"I encourage everyone, on the night before Halloween, to save some seeds and send them to Peter Peter Pumpkin Treater's magic patch," said Mayor Chopp. "Not just for this Halloween, but for many, many more to come."
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