Neighboring Towns Host Halloween Happenings

Double, double, toil and trouble! The communities of Monmouth and Independence invite you and the whole family to dress up in your craziest, spookiest costumes and get ready for a special Halloween night of tricks, treats and lots of laughter. This year, the sister cities are teaming up for an evening of frightening entertainment, featuring trick-or-treating, activities, a photo booth and more!

For well over 15 years, Monmouth has hosted a Halloween celebration downtown, and in the past it was called Halloween Spooktacular. Independence throws a similar party just two miles down the road, so this year the two communities are partnering for an event they’ve collectively named MI Town Halloween. It will occur on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Downtown Independence and 4 to 6 p.m. in Downtown Monmouth, so visitors are encouraged to take the MI trolley, visit both communities and collect twice the candy!

The Monmouth Business Association (MBA) sponsors MI Town Halloween in Monmouth, which is free to attend, and they’ve planned a sinister schedule of activities for all ages! Traditional trick-or-treating will occur throughout the downtown businesses; each will have a balloon and a sign in the window indicating participation. Other local organizations will have decorated pop-ups on Warren Street alongside Main Street Park, handing out candy and other Halloween goodies. “Our local businesses love to support our trick-or-treaters; it’s fun for everyone to see their amazing costumes,” says organizer Emily McAnulty of MaMere’s Guest House.

Western Oregon University will also join the party with a line-up of exciting activities for kids and a photo booth so families can capture pictures to commemorate the night. Watch out for Wolfie, the school’s mascot, who will be gallivanting around town looking for friends and photo opportunities!

The MBA is excited to partner with Independence this year. MI Town Halloween is essentially an enhanced tradition of a treasured community celebration that’s been around for years. “It’s always fun to see the turnout and the immense amount of joy that comes out of this event,” Emily says.

Downtown Monmouth is home to a collection of incredible retailers and restaurants, so grab dinner or a snack while you’re out and help support the local community. MI Town Halloween in Independence is being organized by the Independence Downtown Association and will feature a similar setup with trick-or-treating at downtown businesses and other spooky surprises in store!

For more on MI Town Halloween, contact the MBA through www.mbamonmouth.com.