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I hail from St. Louis, Missouri, where we take pride in our local culture, from Nelly’s music to the legendary Cardinals. Our regional delicacies, such as toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, are well-known, not to mention the unique St. Louis-style pizza topped with provel cheese (feel free to look it up). But when it comes to Halloween, we take our festivities to another level. Here, trick-or-treating is about more than just collecting candy; it’s a delightful performance.
In St. Louis, if you want a candy bar, you need to come prepared with a joke. Kids rehearse their punchlines for just as long as they work on their costumes. No two kids can use the same joke, making it a fierce competition. Creativity is key—recycling tired jokes or relying on the classic “Why did the chicken cross the road?” won’t cut it. Adults expect a good laugh, and when the little ones come up with something silly or quirky, it’s a heartwarming experience.
Of course, sometimes a joke doesn’t land quite right. While adults are quick to offer compliments and a couple of chocolate bars, kids can be more unpredictable. One Halloween, my four-year-old nephew was less than impressed with a joke and, instead of handing out a quick treat, he dove right into the child’s candy bucket and helped himself. It’s moments like these that truly define Halloween in St. Louis. (Don’t worry, the kid got his candy back along with a few bonus pieces.)
There have been instances where a child’s joke strayed into “inappropriate” territory, often due to the influence of older siblings. My son, at seven, became a local legend after being convinced to share an off-color joke that had him in stitches.
What Kind of Jokes Can You Expect?
They range widely. Some kids opt for classic knock-knock jokes, while others prefer spooky-themed humor. Here are a few favorites:
- What do you call a bear with no teeth? Gummy.
- A ham sandwich walks into a bar. Bartender says, “Sorry pal, we don’t serve food here.”
- How do you make a Kleenex dance? Put a little boogie in it.
- Knock knock. Who’s there? Interrupting cow. Interrupt—Mooooooo!
- What’s a ghost’s favorite dessert? Booberry pie.
- Did you hear about the haunted KFC? It was terr-i-fry-ing.
- Why couldn’t the spicy pepper dress like Robin Hood for Halloween? He didn’t hab-an-ero.
- What do you call a magic dog? A lab-ra-ca-dab-ra-dor.
- Have you heard about the elephant with diarrhea? It’s all over town.
Sure, these jokes might be corny, but there’s something irresistibly charming about a tiny witch or a little monster showcasing their stand-up routine. I wish more places would adopt this tradition, which, according to local historian Dr. John Oldani, stems from the Irish custom of performing tricks or telling jokes for treats over a century ago.
Regardless of how it began, this practice remains a cherished part of growing up in St. Louis. It would be wonderful to see it spread to other cities, enriching the Halloween experience for families everywhere. So if you’re looking to elevate your Halloween festivities, remember: a clever joke from a child can truly make the night special.
If you want to start a fun new tradition in your town, here’s a classic that’s always a hit:
How does Batman’s mom call him for dinner? Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner . . . Batmaaaan!