Several cities have Trunk-or-Treats and other celebrations
When the night air turns cold and a layer of frost lingers on the pumpkins in the mornings, everyone knows it will soon be time for finding costumes, buying huge bags of candy and getting ready for Sanpete’s favorite dress-up holiday—Halloween.
This year, there will be a bunch of trick-or-treating options for kids and adults alike; many cities and schools are holding parties, candy exchanges, costume contests and dress-up parades to celebrate the day.
Because Oct. 31 falls on a Sunday this year, most activities are being held on the preceding Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
If you’d like to get to the pumpkin patch early, the Sunder Creek Farms in Chester is already open for family gatherings. Sunder Creek features a corn maze, corn pit, zip line, giant slide, tractor-train rides and interesting animals to see. It costs $5 for kids and adults; $2 for children ages 2 and under; and $3 for seniors.
“It’s been a very busy and festive fall so far,” said Jenna Madsen, co-owner of the farm and the originator of the pumpkin patch. She has already booked Halloween parties at the farm and she has noticed that some of the kids are showing up in costume.
Madsen came up with up the idea to grow pumpkins on two old “yucky” pieces of ground that her dad said nothing would grow on. “But I cleaned them up and planted pumpkins and they grew,” she said.
The pumpkins are growing like crazy this year; and as a special promotion, the farm will be giving out small free pumpkins to all the visitors of the farm on Saturday, Oct. 30.
Pre-Halloween enthusiasm has also been very high for Ephraim’s “Nightmare on Main Street,” said Michael Patton, recreation director. Now in its second year, the free, family-friendly event has attracted more business and more participation than last year.
“We have some of the kinks worked out and we have a lot of creative ideas,” Patton said. COVID-related restrictions will be eased and the city is expecting a good turnout, he said.
In addition, several cities around the Sanpete Valley are holding Halloween celebrations:
Mt. Pleasant
The city is holding its Light Pole Decoration Contest this year. The poles are located on Historic Main Street. There is no charge to decorate your pole and there will be first, second and third place prizes awarded. Please call the city to reserve your pole.
A 5K/Fun Run will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the North Sanpete High School track. Registration is at 9 a.m. There will be candy and awards. Costume optional. Funds raised go to the food bank. Cost is $10 per person or $30 per family. For more information, call Rebecca Jones 469-1392.
High Fitness is holding a “Highloween Glow Party” at the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Center at 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28. Wear neon and come early for body paint and glow sticks.
The North Sanpete High School is holding a Halloween costume for the students on Friday, Oct. 29; and the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School will be parading about 500 fully-costumed kids down State Street, starting at the Cache Valley Bank, at 1 p.m. on Oct. 29.
Snow College
The college has already held a Halloween bash for the students, but the Snow College Planetarium will be playing a free public Halloween Extravaganza show at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 28. For info, visit www.snow.edu/planetarium.
Ephraim
The city is inviting residents to come join in Halloween festivities and trick-or-treating at the “Nightmare on Main Street” from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29. There will be games, vendors, trunk or treating and tons of candy. Admission is free. The locale is on Main Street between 200 N and 100 South.
Ephraim Elementary School is holding a Halloween parade for the students on Oct. 29, with the time to be determined.
Moroni
The city is hosting a trunk-or-treat on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 4 p.m. until the candy runs out. The “Spooktacular” will be held on Center Street. There will be hot cocoa as well. The best decorated car trunks will be considered for prizes. The event is free.
Manti
The city has several activities planned to instill the Halloween spirit and encourage residents to decorate the town and visit local businesses.
The annual Trunk ’n Treat celebration will be held Saturday, Oct. 30 from 5-7 p.m. at the Manti Sports Complex.
According to event organizers, residents are encouraged to light up their favorite car trunk or truck bed, put on their scariest mask and join in the celebration. Set up starts at 4 p.m. Make sure treats are individually wrapped. Donations are appreciated. For all the info and a registration form, visit the Manti City Recreation Facebook page.
The city is also putting on a “post for points contest,” where participants will be taking part in Halloween activities to earn points that will be entered into a prize drawing. Some of these activities include browsing through a Halloween themed store; baking a Halloween treat; carving and decorating pumpkins; visiting a pumpkin patch; decorating their front door step; and going to a haunted house.
Centerfield
The city is inviting citizens young and old to their Trunk or Treat at the Centerfield City Park on Friday October 29 at 6 p.m. The city will be providing donuts and hot chocolate. Cars may line up on the north side of the park. Lineup will begin at your own car and move clockwise around the park. The city would like to encourage everyone who has children receiving treat to hand out treats also.
