Hundreds of miniature ghosts, goblins, vampires, bloody werewolves, cartoon characters, Angry Birds, superheros and even some walking bathing products descended on downtown Morgan Hill Wednesday night, but the residents and shop keepers held them at bay with free candy and street games.
The annual downtown Safe Trick-or-Treat event closed down Monterey Road to motor traffic between Dunne and Main avenues, and the street was decorated with tombstones, cobwebs and other ominous-looking props. The downtown event gives children and families an opportunity to take part in their favorite Halloween pastime safely and with their friends and neighbors.
“We come here every year. It’s safer for the kids and easier to keep track of all of them,” said Mary Tillman, who took her three children trick-or-treating downtown along with her husband Jonathan Tillman. The family opted for a superhero theme for the evening, with daughter Hannah, 4, dressed up as Batgirl, son Aiden, 2, as Superman, and Lexi, 2, costumed as Supergirl. Mary wore a Robin costume.
Merchants from downtown and the surrounding area, as well as local nonprofit organizations, hosted tables and booths handing out candy and other gifts to trick-or-treaters, who formed long lines at each stop.
Safe Trick-or-Treat is sponsored by the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, and this year, the association partnered with the Morgan Hill Property Based Improvement District.
A variety of games set up in the middle of the street, including a miniature baseball diamond, free face painting and jump houses gave the benevolent looters a break from gathering candy.
For the first time this year, a haunted pirate graveyard on a vacant lot between Third and Fourth streets gave revelers a tour of the wreckage, remains and booty of plunders past. The graveyard was constructed by the Kiwanis Club.
Brandon Shiffer, 10, was disguised as a pirate zombie, and his cousin John Shiffer, 9, trick-or-treated as Frankenstein. They ambled through the downtown with John’s parents Christine and Jeff Shiffer from San Jose.
Eligh Briscoe, 2, was dressed up as Batman and was downtown “to save Gotham City,” according to his father Jeremy Briscoe, who wore a Frankenstein costume.
“Trick-or-treating is not as good in the neighborhoods anymore,” Briscoe said. “And it’s easier (to trick-or-treat downtown). You just walk in a circle and get it done.”
MHDA event coordinator Raquel Crowell said the event went smoothly. She helped remind trick-or-treaters that when their sacks of candy turn into piles of candy wrappers, they and their parents can recycle the packaging at select downtown merchants until Nov. 30. The candy wrapper recycling drive will raise money for research for Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress, a rare neurological disorder.
Mayor Steve Tate, who judged the downtown costume contest on Third Street, said the annual downtown Halloween event illustrates the family-friendly vibe that Morgan Hill offers.
“It’s the spirit of the community, safety of the kids, and a celebration of all the good things about Morgan Hill,” Tate said.
At the following locations until Nov. 30:
• BookSmart
• The Music Tree
• The Candy Parlour
• Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center
• Carta Luna
• Savvy Seconds
• The Morgan Hill Downtown Association office
• Tryst Fashions
