Arlington celebrates Hometown Halloween

After a year off, trick-or-treating and other activities returned to the Arlington downtown as part of the annual Hometown Halloween event.

The community event brings a number of family games and Halloween trick-or-treating opportunities for children to Olympic Avenue. It was held on Oct. 30 this year.

The annual tradition is popular with many local families.

“We live nearby and we love it. They [the children] talk about it all the time,” said local parent Sarah Duffer.

“It’s nice. Nice weather, it’s open and everyone’s friendly,” said local parent Jeremy Lewis.

The downtown was filled with costumed children for the day this year.

“It’s been going really good. We have lots of kids and lots of people having fun down here,” said Diane Krieg, executive director of the Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce and one of the organizers of the event. “I think they’re enjoying being normal and being able to go out and try things. I love seeing everybody being happy — the costumes, the kids and everyone enjoying themselves."

On Third Street children lined up at the top of the hill to take part in the traditional pumpkin roll, where they pushed their pumpkin down to race other children’s pumpkins.

“I like it because I always get candy and I always win,” said local child Arrie Duffer.

The event is run by local nonprofit organization Youth Dynamics each year.

Trick-or-treating was available at local businesses again this year with additional trick-or-treating available at the Arlington Farmers Market.

Local vendors said they were happy to participate in the event.

“I think it’s really nice to live in a community where everyone can come out and spend time together, especially after the last couple of years,” said Dusty Olson, owner of Dusty’s Cookie Jar.

She said she enjoys the activities in Arlington.

“It’s a good opportunity to spend time in the community. I’ve lived here a really long time and I’ve loved to see the growth of the community events over the last few years,” said Olson.

The Arlington Arts Council organized their costume contest at the Legion Park, while the pumpkin carving contest was held outside this year.

The caring contest is usually at Arlington Hardware but could not be held there this year. The Koop and the Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce picked up the responsibility this year.

“With the pumpkin carving contest we just wanted kids to have the same opportunities as other kids in the past have,” said Krieg.