How did this strange holiday begin?

OREM — If you see pirates, Darth Vaders, Batmen, princesses, cheerleaders, good witches and bad witches, a few hobos, some ghosts and a whole conglomeration of other bizarre characters on your street — it must be Halloween.

Just when did this yearly ritual begin?

The original tradition started with the Celtic Festival of Samhain more than 2,000 years ago in the British Isles and Northern France. The festival was held the day when summer ended and winter began, a day when folks believed the portal or veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest.

In time the festival was adapted as a Christian celebration for saints and martyrs, or All Saints Day. Even later, the evening before was Allhallows Eve, a term adopted by Protestants during the Reformation. The words eventually ran together and became Halloween.

The celebrating of saints and the dearly departed crosses numerous cultural and religious traditions around the globe. El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which extends for three or four days, has become one of the most celebrated holidays in Mexico. On these days between Oct. 31 and Nov. 7 children dress as skeletons, ghosts, zombies and a variety of "otherworld" characters.

In the British Isles, Halloween runs into Guy Fawkes Day, making it a weeklong party. In modern times the bonfires held each night during Guy Fawkes Day have become destructive and a cause for great concern with nonpartying residents. Bonfires tend to collect everything from furniture to tires and an effigy of Fawkes, the man who tried to destroy Parliament.

The modern form of Halloween, with jack-o'-lanterns and trick-or-treating comes from the Victorian era of the 19th century. It was during this time when the upper crust of society turned the holiday into a night of parties, laughter and romantic intrigue. New parlor games, such as bobbing for apples, were introduced.

In the past 20 years, parental concerns for child safety have brought about new traditions. In particular, the popular trunk-or-treat gatherings in parking lots of schools or churches allow children to move from one car trunk to another for treats while parents supervise. Often there is a contest for the most decorated trunk.

Halloween has morphed into much more than just pranksters, cult legends or children seeking candy. It has become a multibillion-dollar industry, next only to Christmas in popularity and retail sales.

With growing retail interest, it's clear that while Halloween may be a time to celebrate the deceased, it is nearly certain the holiday's own demise in a long time off.

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E-mail: pugmire@desnews.com