Vinton continues downtown trick-or-treating tradition
VINTON–For over 25 years, merchants in Vinton have invited children up to 12 years of age to trick or treat in the safe streets of the downtown area. Portions of Lee, Jackson, and Walnut Avenues and Pollard Street are blocked off while youngsters visit stores to collect candy.
The Vinton Public Library hosted a Halloween party for preschoolers on October 16 in advance of the Downtown Trick or Treating event scheduled for October 31. Preschoolers dressed in costume, played games, watched a puppet show, listened to stories, collected treats, and ate Halloween refreshments. Over eighty participants filled the library for the event. (left to right) Katherine Spence, Lunia Hagy, and Kayleigh Briggs were three of the children who came in costume for the party.
Some merchants and churches from the corridor areas of Vinton also set up booths and tables on the streets so they can participate in the event.
Local businesses and Town Staff in the Municipal Building decorate and dress in costume. Faith’s Hair Studio and the Town’s Finance Department prepare small, child-friendly “haunted houses” in their facilities for children to visit.
Emily Metrock, Children’s Library Assistant at the Vinton Public Library, entertained the preschoolers with stories and songs at the Halloween Party, assisted by staff members from other Roanoke County library branches.
In past years, from 1600 to 1800 trick-or-treaters have taken part in the event which gives children a safe place to trick or treat, and gives downtown businesses exposure.
“Businesses are delighted to have citizens and visitors come and see what they have to offer,” said Mary Beth Layman, Director of Special Programs for the Town of Vinton. The Town co-sponsors the event with the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce.
John Lasecki dressed as Emperor Zurg from “Toy Story” for the Halloween Party at the Vinton library.
This year’s “Trick or Treat in Downtown Vinton” is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, October 31, from 2:30 until 4:45 p.m. Over 35 businesses will be providing the treats.
Children are encouraged to dress in costume and to bring a container to collect candy.
More information is available by calling the Town of Vinton at 983-0613 or the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce at 343-1364 or online at www.vintonva.gov.
“Please come out and join the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce at the annual Halloween Trick or Treat festivities,” said Sabrina Weeks, president of the Chamber. “I hope that everyone has a ‘fang-tastic’ time. See you there!”
For twelve years, Diane Ruble and Don Brubaker have been treating the children in the neighborhood and community to a “yard haunt” on Halloween night. They begin decorating their yard in September. On Halloween night from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., they dress in costume, activate the characters and props, and hand out candy, first to the younger children during the daylight hours. When it gets dark, they turn on the foggers and creepier figures for the older ones. This year Ruble will be dressed as a Victorian Death angel, while her husband will appear as the Grim Reaper at “Ravenwood Manor”. They usually have 100+ visitors to their yard, located at 330 W. Cleveland Avenue in Vinton.
