The leaves are falling, front porches are adorned with pumpkins, and the air is getting crisp. That can only mean one thing; Halloween is almost here. Get your costumes ready and practice your best “Trick or Treat” sayings because the Town of Palisade will be hosting the 6th Annual Trick or Treat Street on Friday, October 28th. This year the event is expanding with the addition of Harvest Fest at Riverbend Park, which will follow the downtown event later in the evening.
Trick or Treat Street
If you are looking for a safe Trick or Treat experience, head downtown Palisade on Friday, October 28th from 3:00 PM-5:00 PM where kids can trick or treat all the local businesses and have the opportunity to climb inside and check out a variety of super cool trucks. Some of the trucks lined up this year include the Palisade Fire Truck, Search and Rescue, the Early Morning Orchard tractor and Peachy, a GVT bus, Dump Truck, Cement Mixer, Jenny the ’58 Chevy, and several more. Palisade Parks and Recreation even arranged for the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile to be at the event, handing out the iconic Oscar Meyer whistles.
Local businesses are invited to participate by opening their doors to Trick or Treaters and handing out candy or coupons for future visits to Palisade. Palisade businesses that are located outside of the downtown area are also welcome to participate by setting up a booth or bringing in a utility vehicle, please contact Sarah Brooks at sbrooks@twonofpalisade.org to reserve a space.
Harvest Fest
After trick or treating the downtown area, head over to Riverbend Park from 5:00 PM-9:00 PM for Harvest Fest, which will feature an assortment of fall and Halloween themed activities. Admission is $5.00 per car load. The event will include a variety of activities including the bonfire, which will be lit at 6:00 PM, live DJ and dance floor, free family games, Jack o Lantern contest, the annual Pet Parade, and the Mario Kart Half Mile.
Pet Parade
This year the Pet Parade will be relocating to Riverbend Park, allowing participants a longer walk way to strut their mutts and hopefully helping pooches to feel more at ease with less noise and people in a confined space. Registration is $3.00 per dog or $8.00 per dog team, check in will run from 4:30 PM-5:20 PM, with the parade and judging starting at 5:30 PM. Once again, all pup participants will receive a treat bag and there are also great prizes from Murdoch’s. Costume categories include Cutest, Most Comical, Scariest, Most Original, Best Dog Team, and Best Dog/Owner Duo. All pre-registrations received by October 25th will have their Harvest Fest fee admission fee waived. Official entry forms can be picked up at Palisade Town Hall or found on the Palisade Parks & Recreation Facebook page.
Mario Kart Half Mile
To participate in the Mario Kart Half Mile, individuals must first get creative with a Mario Kart costumes and make use of cardboard boxes and other recycled materials to create fantastic racing attire. All racers must be of age 10 and over, and the race is most certainly open to adults too. Racers will be awarded points on costume creativity. All racers must be self-propelled (ie by foot or wheelchair). Racers will race through an obstacle course at Riverbend Park which will calculate out to be roughly 1/2 mile. Participants will have to navigate an obstacle course, race against the clock, and collect Mario Kart tokens along the way. Participants may not use any projectile devices or items, as it is a safety concern. This event is aimed to be a lot of FUN and a little competitive too. Registration is $5.00 per person, and once again all pre-registrations will receive complimentary admission into Harvest Fest.
Jack o Lantern Contest
The true essence of fall is pumpkin carving, and Palisade Parks & Rec wants to see what kind of carvers there are in this fine community. The Jack contest is free to enter, but all entries must be pre-carved before arriving at Harvest Fest. Participants will be divided into two age groups (Youth: Ages 8-16) and (Adult: Ages 17 and up), each age group will be judged on one of the following categories: Scariest, Silliest, Most Creative, and Movie Theme. There will be a first place hand-painted plaque for each category and each age group. Jack submissions can be dropped off at the Town booth in Riverbend between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, judging will begin shortly afterwards, then the winners will be announced between 6:45 PM and 7:00 PM. Official rules can be found at Town Hall or on the Facebook pages.
Get Involved
There are a few ways that citizens and groups can get involved in the event this year; first there are still spaces available in the Touch a Truck, for those with interesting vehicles or just wanting to pass out candy. Palisade Parks and Recreation is still recruiting volunteers to help at Harvest Fest, and of course all volunteers will get free admission into the event. Finally, there are a few spaces available for artisan, farm, or activity vendors at Harvest Fest. Unfortunately, our deadline for food vendors is already passed, but there will be double the space next year.
For more info on the event or to get involved contact Sarah Brooks at sbrooks@townofpalisade.org or by calling 464-5602.
