Children of all ages will enjoy “Trick-or-Treat at the Old Courthouse” on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 4:00-6:00 P.M., as part of the Uptown Martinsville Trick-or-Treat!

The Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society invites businesses and organizations to join us on our beautiful brick Plaza of the Historic Henry County Courthouse. Those participating must provide their own candy and set-up and encouraged to dress in costume. For planning purposes and social media advertisement, please notify us of your intent to participate at mhchistoricalsociety@gmail.com or 276-403-5361.

According to the Library of Congress, “There is much debate around the origins of trick-or-treating, but generally there are three theories. The first theory suggests that during Samhain, Celtic people would leave food out to appease the spirits traveling the Earth at night. Over time, people began to dress as these unearthly beings in exchange for similar offerings of food and drink. The second theory speculates that the candy boon stems from the Scottish practice of guising, which is a secular version of “souling.” During the Middle Ages, generally children and poor adults would collect food and money from local homes in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls’ Day. Guisers dropped the prayers in favor of non-religious practices with the inclusion of songs, jokes, and other “tricks.” A third theory argues that modern American trick-or-treating stems from “belsnickeling,” a German-American Christmas tradition where children would dress in costume and then call on their neighbors to see if the adults could guess the identities of the disguised. In one version of the practice, the children were rewarded with food or other treats if no one could identify them.

There is no charge to participate or attend, made possible by corporate sponsors, Carter Bank & Trust and The Lester Group. The Historic Henry County Courthouse is fully handicap accessible. The Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Center & Museum will be open during the event.