Halloween spending should top $11.6 billion this year, according to a National Retail Federation survey. Drives through Mercer County may deliver conclusions that local residents are responsible for a significant portion of dollars being spent on candy, costumes and decorations. Yards fill with freakish presentations as home owners go all out to deliver the scariest street scenes. From Ewing to West Windsor, ghosts, goblins and a variety of haunting creatures produce fear, fright and thriller nights. Spiders have invaded this home on Chambers St. Trenton. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)This yard located on the Ewing/Trenton border features ghouls, goblins, ghosts... (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)……..and a man in black plague doctor gear on the hunt with his trusted sidekick killer pooch. Careful — his dog bites!(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)These towering Halloween creatures haunt a home in Lawrence Township. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Show Caption1 of 4Spiders have invaded this home on Chambers St. Trenton. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Expand Halloween ranks second only to Christmas in retail sales, beating out a list of other key celebrations including Father’s Day, St. Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and even Easter. While Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have reigned supreme in the candy world, a new champion delivered a sweet upset. M&M’s have dethroned Reese’s as the top Halloween candy for the first time ever. Not accepting this result as the chocolate and peanut butter combination remains a personal favorite. Here’s some other fun facts about Halloween. Jack-o’-lanterns: The name comes from an Irish folktale about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil and was forced to walk the Earth with a carved-out turnip and coal. Samhainophobia: This is the fear of Halloween, and people with this phobia feel anxious when they think about or experience anything related to Halloween. Michael Myers’ mask: The mask used in the 1978 horror film Halloween was actually a $2 Captain James Kirk mask from Star Trek. The crew reshaped the eyeholes and painted it white to make it more sinister. Apple bobbing: This tradition originated in Britain, where women would bob their heads in water while trying to bite into apples named after their male suitors. Trick-or-treating: This tradition was inspired by the medieval English tradition of “souling,” where children would go door-to-door on All Souls Day to pray for residents’ deceased loved ones in exchange for food. Houdini: The magician died on Halloween in 1926. Pumpkins: Pumpkins are technically a fruit, not a vegetable. Let’s Dance: Early trick-or-treaters had to dance for candy. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].