🌱 Happy Halloween! Why Do We Carve Pumpkins? + CO's Top Candy

Happy Halloween, Denver neighbors! Here's everything you need to know for a spooktacular day. I have Colorado's favorite candy, interesting facts about why we carve pumpkins and a roundup of 2021's top pop culture costumes.

First, today's weather:

You can expect a cloudy and chilly Halloween, so bundle up if you're heading out with little ones! High: 46 Low: 31.

Here are the top stories in Denver today:

1. If you've turned your best find at a Denver area pumpkin patch or store into a jack-o'-lantern, you may be wondering about the origins of the fall tradition. If you think carving pumpkins is tricky, jack-o-lanterns actually originated in Ireland, with people carving turnips and potatoes. (Denver Patch)
2. Four people are dead following a head-on crash that happened early Saturday morning on Highway 85 just south of the Colorado-Wyoming border. Authorities are still investigating what led to the two-vehicle crash. (Denver Patch)
3. Colorado's favorite Halloween candy is ... drum roll ... Hershey's Kisses, according to a new report. The silver, chocolate treat is the top pick among Colorado trick-or-treaters. The second most popular Halloween candy in our state is Twix, followed by Milky Way.
4. If you wore a tracksuit for a "Squid Game" costume, or a '60s-inspired dress for the "The Queen's Gambit," you were part of these top pop culture costume trends this year. (Patch)
5. If you've been wanting to add a fluffy ball of love and affection to your life, start with these Denver area shelters for a pet up for adoption. (Denver Patch)

Today in Denver:

• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions in Denver! (9 a.m.)
• The Roast of Halloween (7 p.m.)
• Doom Sum - Dumplings w/ a Scary Movie (11 a.m.)
• Shelvis and the Roustabouts (6 p.m.)

Denver Patch Notebook

• Denver Art Museum: "Join the Museum Connectors program at the Denver Art Museum! Applications are due November 19." (Facebook)
• City and County of Denver Government: ""I saw a couple of the Denver police officers dunk!" exclaimed one of the players at a recent basketball clinic for youth. Focused on crime hot spots, this clinic kicks off a new mentoring program for kids." (Facebook)
• Denver Police Department: "Selling on Craigslist or any online marketplace carries risks, but this Sunday, we are gonna give you some tips to protect your self from fraud! Don't miss it, this Sunday right here on Facebook ..." (Facebook)
• Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure: "Work to improve the 48th Ave Viaduct is nearly complete in NW Denver, a critical connection between the Globeville, Sunnyside and Chaffee Park neighborhoods. The bridge will close to at midnight for paving, reopen 11/7." (Facebook)
• Denver Broncos Community Development: "#BroncosCountry! #BeAChampion and support American Cancer Society CO and Denver Broncos Charities by purchasing your 50/50 Raffle tickets for #WASvsDEN today!" (Facebook)

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Events:

• Save 15 Percent On Boo-tiful Flowers This Halloween! (Oct. 31)
• Social Security Seminar (AM Nov. 2 & PM Nov. 2)
• Becoming A Millionaire Through Apartment Investing (Nov. 2)
• Psychic Medium John Edward live in Denver (Nov. 7)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (Nov. 8)
• Dakota Ridge Soccer Indoor Clinic/Tournament (Nov. 14)
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That's it for today. I'll see you soon! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Amber Fisher

About me: I'm a Patch editor covering news in Denver's metro area and Boulder. I've spent the past nine years working for various news outlets across North America, including Chicago Patch, Global News and WBEZ. I've covered high-profile court cases, civil rights abuses, mass shootings, natural disasters and major crimes — but also countless happy news stories about kindness, innovation and resilience. When I'm not writing articles, I can be found hiking, snowboarding, debating politics with my husband and attempting to be a sci-fi and astronomy geek.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Denver Daily? Contact me at amber.fisher@patch.com.