The Oconto Falls City Council on Sept. 10 approved a community event application for the second annual Trick or Treat Trail, but council members said they hope organizers resolve the parking issues that plagued the first event a year ago.
The free Trick or Treat Trail is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 26 at West Side Beach Trail. The trail adjacent to the beach will be decorated for Halloween, and children can get Halloween treats and get involved in games and activities provided by vendors and sponsors.
Close to 1,000 children came to that first event, far more than organizers expected, resulting in a traffic jam along Flatley Street leading to the beach.
“It was very busy, and people were parked all over the place,” City Administrator Peter Wills said. “It appears that we need more volunteers for parking controls.”
Now that the event’s popularity is clear, Council President Ashley Bahrke said organizer Christine Grzelak is working on a plan similar to the parking at community events like the Oconto Elks Fly-In or Breakfast on the Farm, where visitors park at one location and are shuttled to the event.
“Last year, I wasn’t there, but I’m told if there would have been an emergency, there’s no way an ambulance would have gotten into the area,” Bahrke said. “But that is not going to happen. (Grzelak has) been really up front about how last year was way more than she ever expected.”
Wills said he would ask Grzelak to give an update at the council’s next regular monthly meeting Oct. 8.
Parents need to register their children to participate. Information and links are available at the Oconto Falls Trick or Treat Trail page on Facebook.
The community has been generally supportive of the event, both in the unexpected response and the participation of vendors and sponsors, Grzelak said. The S&S Hometown Barand Restaurant hosted a charity Bingo event Sept. 18 to raise money for the project.
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Council OKs second Trick or Treat Trail
