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Halloween Tales
Giant Jumping Pillow now open at The Maze
Halloween is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the eve before the Western Christian feast of All Hallows. Halloween may seem like it’s all about costumes and candy, but the holiday — which is often regarded as an America tradition, actually has its roots in pagan beliefs. Dating back about 2,000 years, Halloween marked the Celtic New Year and was originally called Samhain, which translates to “summer’s end� in Gaelic. Some Halloween traditions, such as carving Jack-o’-lanterns, are based on Irish folklore and have been carried on throughout the centuries, while others, such as candy corn, are more modern Halloween additions.
Black Cats Often used as symbols of bad luck, black cats grace many Halloween decorations. The black cat’s bad reputation dates back to the Dark Ages, when witch hunts were commonplace. Elderly, solitary women were often accused of witchcraft, and their pet cats were said to be their “familiars,� or demonic animals that had been given to them by the devil.
Jack-O’-Lanterns The new Jumping Pillow at The Maze Family Fun Park was officially opened on Wednesday 26th September, with the year 5’s and Deputy Principal, Beth White, from the local Bullsbrook school on hand to help General Manager, Phil Dixon do the official honours. The kids gave the jumping pillow their tick of approval then went on to explore all the other games, mazes and attractions that the park has to offer.
Most people have a jumper in their house, they seem have boundless energy and bounce around from sun up, to sun down; what do you do with all that energy? You bring them to The Maze Family Fun Park and let them jump until their little legs can jump no more! The Giant Jumping Pillow is a spectacular addition to the attractions at The Maze. It’s completely covered by a shade sail to keep little jumpers out
of the sun and surrounded by beautiful green lawn that’s a great vantage point for mums and dads. Suitable for all ages the jumping pillow is a cross between a trampoline and jumping castle and covers an area of over 180m2 – so there’s room for everyone! Toddlers are catered for as well, with an ‘under 5’s only’ play hour for little jumpers every day.
A fun autumn activity, ( not really in season now) carving Jack-o’-lanterns actually has its roots in a sinister, tragic fable. Celtic folklore tells the tale of a drunken farmer named Jack who tricked the devil, but his trickery resulted in him being turned away from both the gates of heaven and hell after he died. Having no choice but to wander around the darkness of purgatory, Jack made a lantern from a turnip and a burning lump of coal that the devil had tossed him from hell. Jack, the story goes, used the lantern to guide his lost soul; as such, the Celts believed that placing Jack-o’-lanterns outside would help guide lost spirits home when they wander the streets on Halloween.
Bats
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Medieval folklore also described bats as witches’ familiars, and seeing a bat on Halloween was considered to be quite an ominous sign. One myth was that if a bat was spotted flying around one’s house three times, it meant that someone in that house would soon die. Another myth was that if a bat flew into your house on Halloween, it was a sign that your house was haunted because ghosts had let the bat in.
TRUCKS
ORANGES PARADE
FLYBY
CAKES
GAMES
HORSES RIDES FOWL JAM
CHOIR
PETS
QUILTS
FLEECE
KidzaBuzz, the number one voucher book for WA families, will be available in Bindoon soon.
ART CARS
Spiders A common source of fear, spiders make for creepy, crawly Halloween staples. They join the ranks of bats and black cats in folklore as being evil companions of witches during medieval times. One superstition held that if a spider falls into a candlelit lamp and is consumed by the flame, witches are nearby. And if you spot a spider on Halloween, goes another superstition, it means that the spirit of a deceased loved one is watching over you.
Witches The stereotypical image of the haggard witch with a pointy black hat and warty nose stirring a magical potion in her cauldron actually stems from a pagan goddess known as “the crone,� who was honored during Samhain. The crone was also known as “the old one� and the “Earth mother,� who symbolized wisdom, change, and the turning of the seasons. Today, the kind, all-knowing old crone has morphed into the menacing, cackling witch.
EGGS
At the Bindoon Town Hall on Thursday afternoons. 4.00-5.00 Ages 7-8 5.00-6.00 Ages 9-10 6.00-7.00 Ages 11-12 From 7pm onwards Sarah will be offering an open session for teenagers an up. “It’s all about having fun! And trying out all art styles� Classes are $10 for 1 hour lesson (20% off if you pay for 10 weeks!) Sarah will also be holding craft classes in the school holidays, giving children a chance for creative outlet. Every 8-10 weeks, we will have a show, to display or sell their creations. Contact Sarah Kay 0429 993 347
s e s s a l c t r A s Kid rah Kay with Sa
For just $20, youĘźll enjoy over 370 money saving vouchers that are all valid until 31 Oct 2013! KidzaBuzz is ďŹ lled with super ideas to keep the whole family entertained. Pick up a copy from Bindoon playgroup between 9.30and 11.30 on Fridays (from Sept 21st) or email nikkidav@hotmail.com to reserve your copy. ProďŹ ts assist Bindoon playgroup!
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