Montevallo&8217;s fifteenth annual Trick or Treat on Main Street was a huge success according to the merchants and many of the ghosts and goblins. The first of these festivities was held in 1992 by the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to give children a safe celebration of Halloween.

An estimated 1,000 costumed children and adults from the city and outlying areas lined the street and visited each store where they were given candy or other treats. Many of the merchants were dressed as witches or other scary characters. There were added attractions this year. The First Baptist Church set up on their lawn where they gave the celebrants cold drinks and other favors. Wilton Bible Baptist Church members gave the children animal balloons and popcorn while entertaining them with a puppet show. On Middle Street the Infinite Youth band of drums and guitars played rock-and-roll music.

Tiny babies wearing cute animal costumes were either pushed in their strollers or carried by parents or grandparents. Children, escorted by adults, bounced along eager for the next stop. Almost everyone wore something significant of the holiday, from a special bow in their hair to a full costume.

Bruce McClanahan of The House of Serendipity remarked, &8220;This event has long-term effects; it gets people acquainted with what is in town and it builds good community relations.&8221; Bruce was impressed with the politeness demonstrated by the children. Jason Perry, owner of Watch This, commented, &8220;It&8217;s great to see the whole town come together for this day of fun and I believe the crowd was even bigger than last year.&8221;

Costumes are put away until next year, and hopefully tummies have recovered and the children&8217;s hyper-activity, caused by too many sweets, is gone as Halloween becomes another special memory.

Catherine Legg can be reached by e-mail at mailto:clegg2@aol.com