Chamber hosting Trick or Treat on Commerce
Published 11:29 am Tuesday, October 25, 2011
On Monday night, ghosts, goblins and all manner of things that go bump in the night will be wandering up and down Commerce Street.
For the second year in a row, the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting Trick or Treat on Commerce. Local businesses and individuals alike will gather downtown to pass out candy and celebrate Halloween.
Francine Wasden, executive director of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, said the event came about as a way to offer a safe environment for trick or treating.
“Last year was the first year, and we just decided that we would block off from Bolling Street all the way to the courthouse,” Wasden said. “We would not allow anybody to park on the street, and we put different business and encourage individuals that might want to come downtown and give away candy. It’d be safe for the children and that’s how the concept started.”
The event was a huge success in its first year, and Wasden expects an even bigger turnout this Halloween.
“We really felt like that we had 2,000 people downtown and this year, we’re thinking it’s going to be that and more,” Wasden said. “We’ve added 25 more businesses. They have called to say that they would take part so we’re trying to fill up the gaps that we had last year.”
People and business did not expect so many to turn out last year and many businesses ran out of candy quickly.
“It will be even better this year, because people will know how much to bring and be better equipped and have more,” Wasden said.
The event will start at 5:30 p.m. and it will end with the Fort Dale Dance team in front of the courthouse as 7 p.m.
“(The dance team) works really hard all year long and we’re looking forward to having them,” Wasden said.
The Chamber is asking that all cars be removed from Commerce Street by 5 p.m.
Restrooms will be available inside city hall and the Greenville Parks and Recreation Department will be selling hamburgers, hotdogs and other food items.
“It is a wonderful community event,” Wasden said. “It just brings everybody together, and it’s a great thing to see families coming out together. It’s safe and it gives them a great environment. Our city does a beautiful job with the decorations, and it does give an opportunity to look around and see what a wonderful downtown we have.”
The City of Greenville does not prohibit door-to-door trick or treating, but encourages everyone to take part in Trick or Treat on Commerce. City officials also pointed out at Monday night’s City Council meeting that trick of treating in the city is intended for children in the 6th grade and below.