Some of you may or may not know I am from Michigan. On October 30th, we have what is called “Devil’s Night.” Many areas all over the United States have a mischief night or something similar on October 30th. In Detroit specifically, it’s a night of pranks, vandalism, and even arson. In different areas where I grew up, it might mean teepeeing a yard or soaping windows.
But where I spent my high school years and live now, it is a little different. We never strung toilet paper over your trees. That was much too common. Our mischief consisted of forking your lawn. Yes, you read that right. We were lawn forkers. It was usually a pre-Halloween prank on an unsuspecting friend. We could then expect to get lawn forked back, most times, many months later when you were least suspecting it. The key was to stick the forks in the ground handle down in order to decrease breaking.
The morning after, the credulous friend’s family would wake up to a garden of eating utensils cascading across their lawn like a white ocean. You were bound to get angry phone calls if you were the main suspect. I never was, though, as I was the quiet kid that never came up with the “good” idea. Our circle of friends were always pranking each other, it was just the thing.
I’m married to one of those pranksters now and whenever we discuss those times, a gleam comes into his mischievous eyes and they practically dance with glee. Before long, we’re talking about those old days of lawn forking.
As always, thank you for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting,
Hi Kymber, raised in Sub-Saharan Africa and it was something we only read about in American comics. Nonetheless, we had so much fun doing many other things in the African wilds. I was privileged to grow up in a colonial world at an amazing time in history. Thank you for your wonderful site and your faithful ‘likes’ on mine.
Thank you, Peter. It sounds very interesting where you grew up. It would be very interesting to learn more about that. And you’re welcome. I enjoy your content very much.
The night before Halloween? Interesting. Where I grew up Halloween was the night for both tricks (mischief) and treats.
Thank you for reading and commenting. 🙂 Yes, I didn’t realize until I was older that Devil’s Night is more regional.
Lawn forking? Sheesh–Michiganders!
LOL! 😂😂
Lawn forking, lol! Never heard of that, but I like it! Harmless but fun.
LOL! I figure it might be a local thing. 😀
Fun!! I’ve only seen a yard forked once, I wonder if a Michigander brought it down to the ‘burbs of Chicago. We used to silly string each others cars. One friend had a brand new car from her parents, and she left the football early to keep her car safe. Then we drove around for hours. Lots of fun.
Hello! And thank you for commenting! 😀 You’ve seen a yard forked? That’s so awesome! I, too, wonder if some Michigander brought that to your neck of the woods. lol Silly string, eh? That sounds like fun, too! I think I would have left football early, too. hahaha
Hahaha forks in the lawn! That’s so funny! I’ve never heard of that before! We didn’t celebrate Devil’s Night in the part of Michigan I hail from. In fact, I didn’t learn about it until I was in my 20s on an episode of Criminal Minds, LOL!
LOL Those were such good times! 😀 I saw that episode of Criminal Minds! LOL But yeah, I remember when I was a kid, my mom not letting us outdoors on “Devil’s Night.”
II never got to pull such shenanigans even though I’m from Michigan as well. My mother would’ve beat me to a bloody pulp
LOL Awww… well, I hope you had other fun times, then. 😀
We were very poor .. my dad was (legit) a schizophrenic and my step mom tried to provide of 5 kids on her nursing home LPN salary .. so there was precious little play time for us <3 (not whining .. just saying) BUT we all lived <3
Awww… I’m sorry it was like that. I bet you’ve had lots of fun memory making with your kids. 😀
I did and making up for lost time with my grands 🙂
That’s good. 🙂 <3
Lol … I need to take my youth group outing do that to someone one day LOL that is so hilarious
LOL! 😀 I’m glad you like the idea. I know it was lots of fun. 😀
Somebody somewhere is going to hate you from this LOL. They won’t even know who you are oh. The fork is mighty
hahaha That’s so funny! I think you might be right! :O
Love this story! That is so hilarious! I wish we had some sort of tradition like that where I am from.
I’m so glad you liked this. LOL It was definitely a fun childhood.
Hoodlums.:-P
LOL!! Right? 😛 😀
That’s a pretty unique prank! 😀 And it’s also harmless, since the worst is you’ve got to tidy up some forks, lol. Loved learning about this little story, Kym! 🙂
LOL Thank you, Louise. 😀 After we would tidy up the forks, we’d use the same ones to get back at whoever we thought the culprit was. LOL 😛 They were pretty recycled. I’m glad you enjoyed my wak down memory lane.
What a great memory to have! It was certainly original and sounds like fun. Enjoy your Halloween! ♥
Thank you, Marj! 😀 The mister and I sure laugh when we talk about those times and who did what to whom. lol 😀 Happy Halloween.
I love the story! It seems like you had a lovely childhood full of lawn-forking. So funny! It’s not as fun in Poland. We just visit graveyards on November 1st.
Thank you, Jowita 🙂 I did have a lovely childhood, it’s true. Halloween is a spooky time here. 😀