New Halloween format is a winner

Fearing injury to hoards of costumed street-crossers, the annual Halloween parade in downtown Sisters changed the popular event, moving it to Village Green. Parents and organizers agreed the event was an unqualified success.

The event is sponsored by Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD). Jen Holland, its executive director, told The Nugget, "Trunk-or-Treat was a huge success! We saw over 1,000 people at this event and heard nothing but praise from eventgoers. One of the main hits was our Zombie Flash Mob led by Carol Ast and our Zumba class. Thank you to our sponsors, Sisters Rotary Club and St. Charles Health System. We hope to grow this event next year, so be on the lookout to sign up to host a trunk-or-treat station late next summer."

More than a dozen business, family, and civic participants provided the fun. Most backed a truck or van to the west side of the park and opened the hatch or tailgate from which they dispensed trinkets or candy. Others staffed game tables inside the park.

Photo by Bill Bartlett

Sisters kids had a blast at Village Green on Halloween.

Trick or treaters began lining up around 3 p.m., and snaked their way around a designated path to maximize flow. Children and family members braved what had been a day-long rain event, but magically the skies cleared and remained dry for the ensuing two hours.

"We were coming no matter what," said Bree Dawson whose three tykes were outfitted in elaborate costumes. "Hey, we're Oregonians, right. Not going to let a little rain get in the way of a good time."

Luna Michaels said, "We would have never heard the end of it if we had chickened out." Husband Keith agreed. "This is just too important for all the kids. They look forward to it every year as much as Christmas I think."

Everyone was pleased with the change to concentrate the event in a spacious safe zone. Elm Street was closed between Jefferson and Washington streets in front of the fire station. The trucks and ambulances had all been moved and the truck bays turned into a game and treat cavern.

Sisters Fire personnel and other volunteers contributed to the merriment. This was Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire District's chief Tony Prior's first Halloween in Sisters, and he was visibly delighted with the outcome.

"This is a real treat for me to see so many of our community gather in such a fun way," he said.

In years past, the children paraded up and down Main, Cascade, and Hood avenues gobbling up treats from shops and businesses whose owners and staff donned costumes. Led by the Sisters Business Association they once again suited up, but this time children, mostly accompanied by parents, left Village Green and made the stroll in family units, not 50-100 in organized groups as in prior years. This presented fewer traffic disruptions, and was less risky.

The biggest thrill to trick-or-treaters and their adult companions was the Zombie flash mob put on by the Zumba Class dancers, a regular activity of SPRD.

This high-energy, upbeat class is a full-body workout set to a mixture of spicy Latin and International music.

After the dancers' routine the kids joined in to the background music of songs like Michael Jackson's iconic "Thriller."

"This is a Norman Rockwell moment if ever I saw one," said Dawn Holman from Cloverdale.

Many parents expressed relief in having this kind of event, making it unnecessary to go door-to-door trick or treating in the neighborhoods in the dark.

"It's really so much safer this way and takes a lot of pressure off parents," said Piper Farber.