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The month of October is here, and with it brings Halloween Nights, a St. Clair community tradition.
What started out as a weekend event has since evolved into a whole month’s worth of events due to its enduring popularity, says Bryan Ulatowksi, president of the St. Clair Chamber of Commerce.
Many of the events are held in downtown St. Clair at the Riverview Plaza. The plaza is decorated with 10 ft. skeletons, spooky pumpkin-headed creatures, light-up witches, and plenty of other Halloween-related decorations.
The month kicked off with a window-painting event for kids of all ages, decorating the plaza with spooky scenes. The yearly tradition, which started over two decades ago, was temporarily shelved until organizers recently brought it back due to its popularity.
“I can remember when my son did the window painting when he was a kid — and that was 20 years ago,” says Trice Hawkins, director of recreation for the City of St. Clair.
Scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 23, is the
Trick or Treat Trail at Greig Park. The 10 to 15 minute-long walk features a family-friendly “spooky stroll” through the woods, the mile-long trail lit by more than 100 lanterns and plenty of spooky sets and decorations. Costumes and autumn weather-appropriate attire are encouraged. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. and a $2 entry fee is required.
“We have so many events throughout the month,” Hawkins says. “There is something for all ages to do.”
On Friday, Oct. 29, it’s the
Halloween Costume Parade, which begins at 6 p.m. and meets at the intersection of 6th and Vine streets. The all ages event invites the community to show up in their costumes to parade down M-29, ending at the Riverview Plaza.
“We love to see people of all ages dress up and join in,” Hawkins says.
Following the parade, the community is invited to the plaza for an outdoor showing of the movie “Monster House,”
which begins at dusk. Riverview Plaza stores will hand candy out to trick-or-treaters and cider and donuts will also be available. The event is free and open to all.
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The Craft Loft is located at 1919 Fred Moore Hwy. in St. Clair.
Occurring each Saturday throughout October at the nearby
Craft Loft is the
Creepy Crafts for Kids series of events. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the remaining Saturdays of the month, Oct. 23 and 30, kids are invited to join Halloween craft-making workshops led by Craft Loft owner Danielle McLaren. Projects change from week to week and cost $8.50 to join.
“The kids can make it here at the Loft or can take it home and work on it. Project materials include ceramic, wood, and paints,” says McLaren. “It’s great to watch all the kids in here being creative and enjoying Halloween.”
The Craft Loft is also hosting an
Enchanted Witches Paint event on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m. Geared more for the grown-ups, the event features wine, snacks, and painting activities, and all for a $10 ticket.
As for Halloween itself, door-to-door trick-or-treating is expected to occur from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31.
Visit St. Clair’s Halloween Nights on Facebook for a full run-down of events.
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