October 30th…? MISCHIEF NIGHT! – AKA Devil’s Night, Hallows Eve, call it what you want; there are many other names for this night.

Many people are unaware that Mischief Night is an informal holiday where children, teenagers, and adults engage in jokes, pranks, vandalism, or parties.

A legend has it that it started in England in the 1700s. Mischief Night developed in the UK, supposedly because a school teacher encouraged students to play harmless pranks on each other. The earliest known reference to ‘Mischief Night’ was recorded in 1790 when a school play mentioned Mischief Night. It is more known as being a very New Jersey thing. Most people woke up to soaped windows, eggshells scattered across yards, toilet paper hanging off trees, etc.

Now, on the nights of Oct. 30 through Oct. 31, in recent years, more and more police departments have set curfews for those under 18, watching over neighborhoods to make sure no cartons of eggs or rolls of toilet paper go to waste decorating the streets. Mischief night is not illegal but some pranks or things that are done can be. Others take it to another level and have consequences like criminal charges or 18 months in jail if damage between $500-$2,000 was caused.

Remember to think about the consequences and be safe! ‘Is it worth it?’