Spreading ‘Halloween cheer’
Kids take part in trick-or-treat events around town Saturday
Photo by Deb Gau Amelia Fox, Livy Fox and Elena Lawrenz climbed into a cardboard box decorated like a car from "The Flintstones" and went through an obstacle course at SMSU's ResHALLoween on Saturday.
Photo by Deb Gau Trick-or-treaters dressed as superheroes, athletes and more visited Marshall businesses and outdoor tables during the annual downtown trick or treat event on Saturday.
Photo by Deb Gau Amelia Fox, Livy Fox and Elena Lawrenz climbed into a cardboard box decorated like a car from "The Flintstones" and went through an obstacle course at SMSU's ResHALLoween on Saturday.
Photo by Deb Gau Trick-or-treaters dressed as superheroes, athletes and more visited Marshall businesses and outdoor tables during the annual downtown trick or treat event on Saturday.
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MARSHALL -- There were lots of ways to join in some Halloween fun over the weekend.
On Saturday, crowds of families and kids in costume were headed downtown, visiting businesses along Main and Third Streets, and even some outdoor tables set up along the way.
Eric Miller said he was surprised by the number of trick-or-treaters stopping by Terrace 1872, where he was helping hand out candy.
"We should have brought two or three more bags (of candy,)" he said.
Halloween events in Marshall on Saturday included everything from "trunk or treat" events hosted by area churches, to a pumpkin scavenger hunt at the Lyon County Museum and trick-or-treating activities at the Southwest Minnesota State University campus.
More than 20 local businesses took part in the annual downtown trick or treat event in Marshall, said Sam Lund, with the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce.
Although the day was overcast, the weather Saturday stayed clear for Halloween events, and temperatures were relatively warm for the end of October.
"The rain tapered off, and it's a nice day again," said downtown business owner Chad Kulla.
Businesspeople said there had been a pretty steady flow of trick-or-treaters.
"It's our biggest one day of the year," said Lyon County Museum Director Jennifer Andries.
Some visitors have made it a tradition to stop by the museum's Halloween-themed family fun day.
Later in the day, SMSU students welcomed kids to campus for the annual ResHALLoween event. Different residence halls decorated for the holiday, and held activities that went along with each hall's theme.
"The theme was classic cartoons," said SMSU student Nokuthaba Nyoni.
Students at the Ocean Boulevard residence hall picked Sesame Street as the theme for their activities, she said.
"It's something everyone kind of grew up watching," Nyoni said.
Other residence halls had different games for trick-or-treaters, like a Spongebob-themed fishing game, or an obstacle course where teams kids had to pilot a cardboard box decorated like a car from the Flintstones cartoon.
The creativity of putting together costumes for local Halloween events was part of the fun for participants.
"We're going to do like a theme," said Rylynn and Gentry Tupman, two of the young trick-or-treaters downtown. Rylynn said she and Gentry were dressed as police officers, while their parents were going to be convicts, and their little sister was going to be a money bag.
Area families said they liked joining in the fun.
"It's mostly just getting to be around the community and spread Halloween cheer," said Kassi Marron. Marron said she and her family had been coming to Marshall's downtown trick or treat for the past three years.