Trick or Treat Tradition in Des Moines, Iowa - Ask a Riddle on Beggar's Night

Most kids throughout the country go out trick or treating. They dress up in costumes and set out into the neighborhood with empty bags to fill with candy and goodies. The custom dates back to the Middle Ages, but the tradition of children asking for candy from their neighbors is really a North American creation, and has been popular in the United States since the 1930s.

In one Midwestern city, though, an extra step is involved before the treats are doled out. In Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding suburbs, children ask the treat-givers a riddle first. After the answer is given, or even if it isn't, then the candy is deposited into the sacks.

Where did this tradition start and why?

According to the Des Moines Register, A woman named Kathryn Krieg started it back in 1931. She was the director of recreation for the Des Moines Playground Commission. She wanted to stop the violence and annoying pranks that were occurring at Halloween and came up with the riddle and jokes idea. She wanted to stop kids from soaping windows, turning over garbage cans, destroying mailboxes, throwing bricks through windows, and other such mischief.

The riddles and jokes are totally lame, along the lines of Why did the chicken cross the road?

Here are a few more groaners...

Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?
He didn't have any guts.

A mushroom walks into a bar. "You'll have to leave," the bartender says. "We don't allow mushrooms in here." "Why not?" asked the mushroom. "I'm a fungi."

Why did Dracula visit the blood bank?
He needed to make a withdrawal.

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
Pilgrims.

What do you call a sleeping cow? A bulldozer.

What did the bald man say when he got a comb for his birthday? "Thanks, I'll never part with it!"

What do you call a parrot wearing a raincoat? Polly Unsaturated

Why did God make only one Yogi Bear? Because when he tried to make a second one he
made a Boo-Boo.

What did Batman say to Robin before they got in the car? Robin, get in the car.

Kathryn also moved trick or treating to the night before Halloween to keep the kids off the streets on Halloween. She named that evening "Beggar's Night" and that's when kids are allowed to go trick or treating now in the Des Moines area. Parents were encouraged to go with their children in their own neighborhoods only to houses with their porch lights on.

Children have fun trick or treating in costumes, and asking a riddle or joke makes it a little more fun.