Main Street turns into Halloweentown for annual block party

On Oct. 31, Main Street was buzzing with Halloween energy as hundreds of eager trick-or-treaters gathered for the annual downtown Halloween block party, "The Ghostly Goodie Grab." Costumed children, parents, and community members enjoyed the festivities, turning Main Street into a vibrant Halloweentown.

The festivities, organized by Katie Lewinger of Professional High Fivers, offered an array of exciting activities for all ages. Local businesses from across town participated, costumed and ready to hand out candy. Storefronts and tables lined the streets as business owners spent the afternoon handing out sweet treats, trinkets, and even books. The City of Gunnison donated candy to support participating businesses. Meanwhile, local favorite Vegan AF Box kept attendees fueled throughout the afternoon, serving up delicious plant-based burgers, nachos, and burritos to hungry ghosts and goblins.

Main Street was packed with citizens decked out in elaborate costumes that ranged from cute and whimsical to thrillingly spooky. Fairies strolled alongside vampires, and young princesses were accompanied by dinosaurs. One of the spookiest sights of all was seeing Batman and The Joker laughing and sharing candy on the lawn of IOOF Park.

Beyond traditional trick-or-treating, the event featured a dog costume contest and a "Thriller" flash mob.

Organized in partnership with the Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League, the dog costume contest drew a charming lineup of four-legged participants. The dogs proudly paraded around outfitted as lions, a teddy bear, a Denver Bronco, and more. Taking top honors were three pups dressed as the iconic trio from The Wizard of Oz: the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow.

Another standout moment arrived when dancers suddenly assembled in the middle of Main Street for a choreographed flash mob set to Michael Jackson’s "Thriller." The performers wowed the crowd with impressive zombie moves.

Overall, the Ghostly Goodie Grab proved to be a resounding success for parents, children, and local businesses alike. Beyond bringing people together to celebrate, the block party fulfilled its core mission of providing a fun and safe environment for trick-or-treating in the community.