Since 1969 we have become increasingly involved in the growing of pumpkins, squashes and apples, all the items that make up the fall experience.
Since 1932 the Gordon Family has been farming in the Skagit Valley. Located in the Pacific Northwest, the farm lies in a delta created over eons by the Skagit River. The loamy soil from the river's deposits and marine climate makes it ideal to grow a variety of crops. Our location in the central part of the valley gives us surrounding views, mountains, snow capped volcanoes and sunsets. The Gordon Family has dedicated itself to the intuition of agriculture believing in its rich history and its important future to feed us - mind, body and soul.
A simple history of Halloween, the name Jackolantern, and the carving of pumpkins. Many tales and beliefs evolved during this time of year when people started looking at the edge of winter, and the unknowing of the season to come.
Halloween
It begins in the lands of the Celts as the holiday of Samhain
(pronounced sow-in) where the barriers of our world and the other
diminished allowing contact with the spirits beyond. In the 1400 it began
to be know as All Hallows Even the Day before All Saints Day, November
1st. Halloweens arrival to North America came to this country in the
1800 's with the immigration of the Irish and Scots. Halloween evolution
in this country has made it a significant part of the American pop
culture experience.
Jackolantern The Folklore
From the Irish tale of Stingy Jack, a man who fooled the devil many times.
Upon his death he was placed in limbo, God would not receive such a character
into heaven and the Devil could not place him in Hell because of the deals
he had made with him. For punishment the Devil gave Stingy Jack a lump of
burning coal to place inside a carved out turnip, then was told to roam
the earth for eternity.
Jackolantern the Term
Originally meant a night watchmen or man with a lantern.
The Carving of Vegetables Into Lanterns
In the British Isle their is a long tradition of carving lanterns from
vegetables (particularly the turnip). In 1837 the term Jackolatern appears
as the term for vegetable lantern. In 1866 it became specifically associated
with Halloween, both occurring in North America. The tradition of carving
vegetables into lanterns was brought over by the English and Scots.
Pumpkins were carved in association with the harvest season before it
became the symbol of Halloween.