Wootown Treat Trail: A sweet, family-friendly Halloween
Downtown Wooster will play host to ghosts, goblins, witches, fairies and more with a safe, family-oriented celebration on Saturday, Oct. 28. The Wootown Treat Trail will take place from noon to 2 p.m. with a parade and costume contest at 2 p.m. on the square for both two- and four-footed members of the community.
Family-friendly activities and treats will abound at a variety of downtown businesses and venues. Jessica Eikleberry of Local Roots Market and Cafe is the coordinator. According to Eikleberry, 27 downtown businesses have joined the lineup to participate.
"I'm sure we will have a few more come in at the last minute," she said.
In addition to participating in the treat trail, some merchants will offer specials on kid-friendly items and services. Portions of Market and Liberty Streets will be closed off to allow for safer treat trail adventures.
"This is the second year for the costume contest," Marty Kovach of The Gathering Grounds Coffee House said. "We had so much fun and such an enthusiastic response from the community last year. We knew this had to be an annual event."
Costumed participants are asked to gather in the gazebo parking lot at 2 p.m. for a parade. Judging for kids 12 and under will take place immediately after the children parade through the square. While the judges are deciding the winners, kids will be able to vote on best adult costume. Prizes will be awarded for six children's categories: scariest, silliest, most creative, most adorable, family/group costume and best of show. There also will be a prize awarded for best pet costume.
"Last year's costumes were amazingly creative and fun," Kovach said. "We want to encourage everyone to come downtown and enjoy the show."
Local Roots is planning to have apple bobbing, popcorn and face painting. Activities will be in the parking lot if the weather cooperates.
According to Wayne Center for the Arts special events coordinator Sharon Tomassetti, there will be I spy and chalk drawings outside the art center's Walnut Street location along with monster drawings. Some activities will be dependent on weather.
Prior to the treat trail, there will be a Halloween story time from 10:30-11:15 a.m. in the children's department at the main branch of the Wayne County Public Library. The library also will offer three different crafts during the trail.
"We will have one of our famous scavenger hunts," children's department manager Barb Landers said, "with a few items hiding in devilishly tricky spots for our older visitors."
Area first responders will set up their trunk or treat outside the library. "We plan on setting up our police cars, fire trucks and emergency vehicles in the library parking lot and decorating them in a family-friendly fall/harvest theme for the kids," patrolman Matt Cruise of the Wooster City Police Department said. "It's always a good time when you make a child smile."
Kindermusik teacher Alicia Seling will offer a new addition to the treat trail lineup. "During the treat trail I plan on facilitating ongoing impromptu music activities including songs, rhythm chants and exploring instruments such as shakers, bells, rhythm sticks and a few drums." Seling will create music at Local Roots.
Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties will be set up in the United Way parking lot, decorating masks and playing Goodwill Plinko.
Downtown Wooster's Treat Trail is a fun, family-friendly way to enjoy fall crafts, treats and games in a safe, daylight environment, sharing in community and supporting downtown business.
For the most current information, a listing of participating locations and a map, find Wootown Treat Trail on Facebook or look for details at www.localrootswooster.com/community-events.