Cabarrus Halloween Matchmaking Party In the second half of the nineteenth century, America was flooded with new immigrants. These new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland’s potato famine of 1846, helped to popularize the celebration of Halloween nationally. Its origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and the All Saints Day celebration called All-hallows or All-hallowmas. By the late nineteenth century, there was a move to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft. Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season and festive costumes. Hostesses enjoyed creating unique and elaborate celebrations. Of course Jack O'Lanterns glowed from every nook and corner. Refreshments were often mulled cider, grapes, apples, and nuts while a "dutch lunch" was serv