Punkie Night is celebrated nationwide, but mostly in Somerset county. The most vibrant festival takes place in Hinton St George, starting at Village Hall, usually held on the last Thursday of October. Children dressed in medieval clothes go with "jack o'lantern" and sing a song—"Give me a candle, give me a light. If you don't, you'll get a fright!". Such a lantern procession with music and stories attracts both young and old alike.
No one knows where the tradition of celebrating Punkie Night comes from. Although, we can confidently say that it is closely linked to Halloween. In Old English "Punkie" means "lantern" and may be made of swedes or mangel-wurzels rather than pumpkins. Some believe that these "Punkies" were carried by men who were returning home late at night during the dark autumn fair season. It is believed that these strange lights were made in order to ward off evil spirits.
