Halloween parade safety concerns spark changes

For many a year, Sisters children have been treated to a downtown event whereby school-aged kids in costume would gather at Fir Street Park on Halloween (or the nearest school day to October 31) and then in small groups of roughly 25, they would be led by an adult guide, also in costume, up and down portions of Main, Cascade, and Hood avenues.

The trick-or-treaters would be rewarded by participating merchants - some 40 plus - with an array of goodies many of which were homemade and a product of the store. Like donuts from Sisters Bakery, cookies from SweetEasy Co., or candies from The Candy Corral or High Desert Chocolates.

Photo by Bill Bartlett

Changes are afoot in Sisters' annual Halloween observances.

The tradition has had many prime sponsors with Rotary Club of Sisters often taking the lead. As far back as 2014, Rotary and the Library teamed up for the event. Last year, Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD), with help from Rotary, was the event organizer.

The event has always carried safety concerns as the children, hundreds in numbers, had to cross at least two avenues and four or five streets. Of special worry was when the kids crossed Cascade Avenue, the section of Highway 20 that runs through Sisters. Highway 20 is the longest federal roadway in the U.S. As many as 10,000 cars and trucks per day pass through downtown on route 20.

With their vision often obscured by masks and costume accoutrements, they were prone to not seeing the crossing guard's instructions, or they were caught up in the excitement and occasionally darted into the street without warning.

Rotary volunteers in safety vests and with crossing flags were the traffic monitors. Deschutes County Sheriff's Office was unable to provide patrol officers for the affair that typically lasts from around 3 to 5 p.m.

This year, prompted by safety concerns, SPRD has opted to hold the event in a stationary setting at Village Green Park.

Jennifer Holland, executive director of SPRD, announced that, "As the event has gained popularity, ensuring safety has become increasingly difficult. We've struggled to secure enough volunteers to safely break participants into smaller, manageable groups for trick-or-treating.

"Despite our partnerships with various organizations to add more crossing stations, the presence of a major highway running through town has remained a significant safety concern," she said.

The newly branded Downtown Trunk-or-Treat will continue to offer a family-friendly, holiday-themed experience in downtown, with the addition of new children's activities to enhance the festivities, SPRD says.

"While this change will help us better ensure participant safety, families are still encouraged to visit local businesses downtown to trick-or-treat as part of their Halloween celebrations," Holland stated.

For the Trunk-or-Treat event, activities include trunk-or-treat stations around the perimeter of the park (individuals and businesses can sign up to host a station), a costume contest (categories 0-4 year old, 5-11 years old, 12-18 years old, 19 plus years old and four-legged friends). Themed carnival games include a pumpkin ring toss, pumpkin race, trick-or-treat bag decorating, bean bag toss, and more. Additionally, there will be a balloon artist and an inflatable slide (weather depended).

"Plus," Holland teases, "A special activity that we don't want to talk about yet as it will be really special."

"Local businesses and individuals can also get involved with Downtown Trunk-or-Treat by signing up to host a trunk-or-treat station or activity booth to support the community event," Holland said.

Led by Sisters Business Association, a recently formed group of around 40 businesses, shopkeepers are talking among themselves about continuing the parade.

Holland told The Nugget, "I know there is some concern that people will not go downtown and trick or treat. That is not the intention at all. We are encouraging families to still patronize downtown businesses. We are just not taking them in larger groups due to safety concerns. However, those concerns are minimized in smaller family sized groups." This year's event will occur on Thursday, October 31, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Village Green Park. All are welcome to join in and encouraged to dress up for the holiday.

SPRD will continue to collect canned food donations at this event to support the local food bank.