Why do we carve pumpkins at Halloween, dress up in costumes, or decorate our homes with skeletons and ghosts?

This colorful program traces the strange history of Halloween, from Old World harvest festivals to our modern family holiday.  Along the way, presenter Kevin Woyce will discuss the origins of the Jack-o'lantern, Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast, the first monster movies, famous costume makers, and much more.

The hour-long slideshow is illustrated with original photographs and antique Halloween cards, advertisements, artwork, and movie posters.

Kevin Woyce is an author, photographer, and lecturer. His regional history books, illustrated with original black and white photography, include: Jersey Shore History & Facts, Niagara: The Falls and the River, and Santa’s Hometown.

This program is free and open to all; no registration is required.

It is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Participants will be expected to follow all current CDC guidelines.