By: Mary Beth Almond | Rochester Post | Published October 5, 2022
ROCHESTER — Costumed children in search of candy can visit Downtown Rochester with their families this month to extend their Halloween spirit.
On Oct. 15, the city will host its annual Trick-or-Treat Downtown event — which includes trick-or-treating, a costume parade and a Halloween Fest in the farmers market parking lot.
Over 50 downtown merchants — all marked with window signage — will pass out candy and other treats to costumed children 3:30-5 p.m. Oct. 15. A map of participating businesses is also available at www.DowntownRochesterMI.com.
“We encourage people to arrive early if they want to see all of our businesses,” said Rochester Downtown Development Authority Events Coordinator Jenna O’Dell.
Trick-or-treating will be held rain or shine, and people should dress for the weather and bring bags to hold all the goodies.
“As always, trick or treat is one way. We ask people to start on the east side and head north, and then loop around to the west side and head south,” O’Dell noted.
After collecting candy, families are invited to meet in the public parking lot at the corner of Water and East University to participate in a costume parade beginning at 5:15 p.m. The parade group, joined by a police car and a firetruck, will proceed south on Water Street and will end at the fire station.
After the parade, families can head to the Halloween Fest 5-6:30 p.m. in the farmers market parking lot at East Third and Water streets. The Halloween Fest will include themed photo opportunities and prizes, fresh doughnuts from The Little Donut Factory, a slime station with Mad Science Detroit, a photo opportunity with Ecto 1 and the Metro Detroit Ghostbusters and more. The Linda Rea Team will be donating pumpkins to the first 100 trick-or-treaters who stop by their pumpkin patch.
“For all this to happen we have a very generous sponsor, Genisys Credit Union, that will also be passing out tote bags for kids to collect their treats and goodies,” said O’Dell.
The following Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m.-noon, kids who visit the Rochester Farmers Market will receive candy and special treats from vendors. Parents and their kids are invited to come out in costumes rain or shine.
While kids collect free goodies, parents can purchase apples, squash, sweet corn, pumpkins and other fresh fall produce and specialty items.
“It’s a great way for the farmers market to say thanks to all of our customers that have shopped with us … and a great way to end the season,” said DDA Marketing Coordinator Taylor Clayton.
The Downtown Rochester Farmers Market will continue to run every Saturday through Oct. 29.
For more information, call (248) 656-0060 or visit www.DowntownRochesterMI.com.