Logan Treat Walk finishes 16th successful year
Princesses, dragons and scarecrows alike filled Logan’s downtown Main Street Thursday morning and afternoon. Cache Valley businesses filled bowls and cauldrons with chocolatey goodness, sticky suckers and Tootsie Roll confections, all in preparation for the 16th annual Halloween Treat Walk.
Members of the community flocked in droves to trick-or-treat through some of the most well-known businesses in the valley, as well as some lesser-known hidden gems.
Along with the sugary sweets, children’s books were given away as an incentive for children to remember the treat of being able to read. Even registered yellow labrador puppies had no shortage of cuddles and kisses to give to passersby.
The event gave parents and business owners the opportunity to just be kids again, whether they dressed up themselves or handed out candy for passing trick-or-treaters.
Businesses had a say in whether they wanted to be a part of the action or not, simply by placing Halloween Treat Walk posters in their store windows.
The signs notified parents that trick-or-treaters were welcome, making it easy to avoid the awkwardness of entering a business unaware. Businesses entertained children for hours, and some ran out of candy before the event was scheduled to end.
Gary Saxton, of the Logan Downtown Alliance, is one of the many who helped make the Halloween Treat Walk come to life year after year.
Saxton loves the holiday season, and regards Halloween as the best holiday of the year, which serves as inspiration for the continuation of this event.
Logan Fine Art Gallery Director Julie LeFevre and her assistant J.D. Needham watched as families entered the gallery in awe, gazing at the artwork hanging from the walls, some seeing the gallery for the first time.
LeFevre has been participating in the treat walk since the gallery opened nine years ago, and her excitement for the event never grows old.
While handing out candy, LeFevre reminded patrons to visit again the following evening for a fall forum where a reception would be held for artists from Wyoming, Utah and Idaho.
“It’s fun to have people come in and see the inside for the first time, and didn’t know that there was an art gallery here,” Needham said.
LeFevre estimates at least 500 visitors came through her door during the treat walk and enjoyed seeing the unique creativity of costumes.
“It creates creativity in people,” LeFevre said. “People like to dress up and be someone they admire, like a Star Wars character or a superhero and it gives the community a chance to come together.”
Cassidy Anderson, a first-timer to the treat walk and a salon employee, spent her day snuggling registered yellow labrador puppies, dressed as a scarecrow. The puppies were advertised for sale during the event.
“It’s kind of fun to talk to all the kids, see their cute costumes and to see everyone’s reaction to the puppies,” Anderson said.
Jacqueline Woodworth, her husband John and her daughter Rosie chose to base their family costumes on characters from “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” They enjoyed the Bluebird Candy store, where they watched employees make chocolates while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate.
Woodworth likes the childlike simplicity of Halloween and the community aspect of the holiday.
“People are willing to dress up in incredibly elaborate costumes and almost become kids again,” Woodworth said.
She decided to attend the treat walk to give her daughter a chance to enjoy Halloween.
Saxton loves that Halloween brings families and neighbors together.
“More neighbors, past friends and acquaintances catch up with each other during Halloween than any other holiday,” Saxton said. “It’s just a great time of year on top of all that.”
—kortni.marie.wells@aggiemail.usu.edu
@kortniwells