It might be a bit early for spotting little ghosts, goblins and monsters, but McMinnville Civic Center is hunting vendors to cater to them during the third annual Trail of Treats on Oct. 30 from 5-7 p.m.
“The biggest change for this year is the date,” said program coordinator Kendra Foust. “We decided to offer our event, Trail of Treats, on the day before Halloween so it won’t interfere with Main Street McMinnville’s event.”
On Oct. 31, Main Street McMinnville, in partnership with downtown merchants, businesses and churches, will offer Trick or Treat Street. The day-long event will offer trick-or-treating, two costume contests (one for pre-schoolers and one for children after school), and a movie night from 6-8 p.m. More information will be made available as those details are finalized.
As for the Civic Center, Trail of Treats will feature booths set up by local churches, businesses, civic groups, etc. Children walk from booth to booth and are treated to candy, games and costume competitions in a safer environment than traditional trick-or-treating.
“Parents want a safer alternative to traditional trick-or-treating,” said Foust. “This is that safer alternative. The booths are set up along the walking trail. It’s safer than going house to house. However, we can’t do this without community support. We need vendors.”
The first year the event attracted 22 vendors and approximately 3,000 people. Year two, 30 vendors and an estimated 7,000 people attended.
“Last year was bigger than any of us could have imagined,” said Foust. “I would like to have at least 30 vendors this year because of the large crowd we are expecting. Right now, we have 16. We need at least 14 more. If any church, civic group, business, etc. would like to participate in offering children a safer alternative to trick-or-treat, give me a call. Vendor spaces are free. Everything is free to the children, so there is no charge for vendors.”
Last year’s weather contingency plan was to move the event from the walking trail into the Civic Center gym. Bad weather did require relocation. However, to prevent exceeding the maximum number of people allowed in the gym at one time by fire code, staff had to stand at the Civic Center doors and only allow people in as others left. The result was a line of people that stretched from the front doors to the end of the parking lot and a congestion of vehicles.
“Due to the limited capacity of the gym and the large number of people expected, this year’s bad weather plan is to relocate to the Farmers Market,” said Foust. “That seemed a better option than having people waiting outside in a long line in order to get in because we can’t exceed the maximum capacity set by fire code.”
For more information or to sign up to be a vendor, contact Foust at 473-1212.
