Halloween celebrated in Western Mass.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It is celebrated with costume wearing, trick or treating, pranks and creepy decorations.

And although there are varying beliefs on how Halloween began, the best available evidence indicates that Halloween originated in the early Middle Ages as a Catholic vigil.

The name Halloween means “the day before All Hallows Day”, or All Saints Day, which is November 1st.

It has evolved into a holiday for children and adults alike.

Local ghost hunter Debra Kowal says it's a time when fear is heightened but those who deal with children say it's just pure fun.

Kowal told 22News, "Most people tend to think that the spirits get more active this time of the year. I think they're active 365 days a year but it seems to be the spookier time of the year, people get a little more creeped out about cemeteries and dark places; we see a lot more active ghost hunters."

Tracy Tierny, Principal at Mater Dolorosa School in Holyoke, said,"I'm sure the teachers do that in their classrooms, but what this comes down to is that this is fun, and it really is fun for kids to get dressed up as something other than themselves, especially when they wear uniforms everyday."

And the trick-or-treaters should be out Wednesday night, except for in Holyoke and Monson where they postponed events until this weekend.