For years, Ankeny kids along with children from many cities in central Iowa have dressed up and gone door to door asking for candy on Oct. 30, also known as Beggars Night. This year things are changing. The city officially announced that trick-or-treating will now take place on Halloween, Oct. 31.

Beggars Night started in Des Moines back in the 1930s, when city leaders wanted to cut down on Halloween pranks and vandalism. Kids were encouraged to tell jokes or riddles before getting candy, a tradition that stuck around in many towns including Ankeny. 

The city of Ankeny confirmed the change on its official website, stating: “Beggar’s Night/Trick-or-Treat has moved permanently to Halloween, Oct. 31.”

The city did not give a long explanation, but the change follows a growing trend across the Des Moines metro area to eliminate the Beggars Night tradition. 

“It always felt weird explaining to friends from other states that we go trick-or-treating a day early,” AHS senior  Rashawn McCallister said. “Now we can finally say we do it on Halloween like everyone else.”

In the past, confusion was common among families from other towns who trick-or-treat on the actual holiday, but this minimal change will finally put an end to that. There are also those who will remain unaffected by the change. 

“I didn’t even know it wasn’t on Halloween before,” young Ankeny trick-or-treater, Peyton Cheng said. “I guess that tells you how much it matters to me.”

When there is candy involved, the day of the month is likely the last thing a young child is worried about. 

Even with the date swap, the tradition of telling jokes will seemingly live on. 

“Traditions change, but the fun won’t,” Ankeny parent Thomas Belitov said. “Whether it’s the 30th or 31st, the goal is the same, let kids have a great night!”