A Spooktacular

Halloween In Montrose

Halloween week is upon us, my friends. This is my 12th year celebrating it on Honolulu Avenue and each year I appreciate it more. Where else can you go and see your neighborhood merchants and friends decked out in their Halloween finest, in a family friendly, safe and festive environment? Montrose is indeed unique.

This year, the Montrose Shopping Park and the MV Chamber are working together to bring you a big “trick or treat” with emphasis on the treat part. At 5 p.m. on Monday night, the Shopping Park merchants will begin handing out candy to the little ones. Then it’s on to the 2200 block that will be closed off to auto traffic from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There you will find carnival game booths with prizes, a pet costume contest and, believe it or not, a “Thriller” dance contest. There is also a costume contest for the kiddies with categories like “spooky,” “cute,” “most original” and “family.” The contests will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in front of Paper Rabbit. Sign ups begin at 5 p.m.

Bring your appetite and plan on dining in one of our many restaurants. We will also have seasonal food booths selling hot dogs, lemonade, hot popped kettle corn and roasted corn on the cob for those that prefer snacking under the stars. You may also enjoy treating your kids to bouncing the night away on a two-story slide, a 40’ obstacle course and a magic bounce castle. Another fun thing is to take them to our face painters for something special designed just for them.

But don’t wait until Monday night. Come and enjoy the shops and cafes now. We are ready and in the mood! Twigs & Things, Paper Rabbit, Critters and Mountain Rose Gifts have all the unique Halloween décor and gifts to kick things up a notch. Montrose Candy Co. specializes in spooky candy that you won’t find other places. Faye’s and Revelation Tops are dressing women up in Halloween-themed tees and jewelry. And of course you must indulge in the pumpkin pie ice cream at Paradis.

As for me, I’ll see you in front of Revelation where I’ll be handing out candy with my friend Wendy from Country Classics. She’s driving from her home two hours away just to be here.

I can’t wait!