Jamaicans warming up to Halloween

In recent years, Halloween, a prominent celebration in the US, has woven its way into Jamaican culture.

Patrice Levy, the organiser of the popular 'Boo at the Zoo' event at Hope Zoo, said that Jamaicans are shedding the old stigmas associated with Halloween.

"It's just another event that families can come and celebrate and get dressed up," she said.

Halloween, observed in multiple countries on October 31, precedes the Western Christian feast of All Saint's Day and marks the beginning of Allhallowtide, a time when the dead are remembered.

Levy, who has been involved with Boo at the Zoo since 2011, underscores that families attending the event are not motivated by the historical connotations of Halloween. She described the event as the Hope Zoo's largest annual fundraiser, appealing to the entire family.

"Parents and children every year are excited for it and they get really creative in their looks. That is the excitement of why so many people enjoy Halloween," she said.

Touchstone Link, a local ticketing, marketing, and production company, has observed the rise of Halloween events. Marcia McDonnough, the company's managing director, said Halloween parties are on the rise in the post-COVID era.

"There was a hiatus of about two and a half years due to COVID, but after that, Halloween events saw a tremendous surge. Large events like Boo at the Zoo have consistently attracted significant turnouts," she said.

McDonnough believes that, like other trends, Halloween in Jamaica is poised to expand as more people become exposed to it.

"I believe that it will continue to pick up. We are seeing people putting on their costumes and using the opportunity to be creative so I think it will continue," said McDonnough.