The Galesburg Business Association is making a few modifications to this year’s downtown trick-or-treat event known as Treat Street.
Amye Peterson promised when she became GBA president in February that she would focus on boosting membership and breathing vibrancy into the events they offer.
Among GBA’s staples are the Christmas parade, Cafe in the Park and formerly the scarecrow festival– some of them Peterson says they’ve put on for close to two decades.
Treat Street, she tells WGIL, is still happening but some of the facets of it are being dropped.
“It’s strictly just a trick-or-treating downtown in a safe environment for little kids in the daylight to go to the businesses,” Peterson says. “So it’s pretty scaled down this year.”
Volunteers will stand at corners, handing out maps showing what businesses are participating. From there, families can go out trick-or-treating downtown as in years past.
Different, is that the GBA won’t be supplying free canvas bags after the supplier, Casey’s Party Creations closed this year. As such, families are encouraged to bring their own bag.
Another change is there’s no starting or ending point for trick-or-treating.
There formerly was an ending place where participants could meet for pizza, soda and prizes which has been done away with as well.
Peterson also teased some changes coming down the pike for the Holiday parade and open house.She says we’ll learn more about those as the dates get closer.
Additionally, regular trick-or-treating is scheduled in Galesburg for Halloween night 5 to 8 p.m.. The city encourages residents to turn on outside lights to indicate their willingness to participate and for children’s safety.
