Main Street Kent brought the spirit of Halloween to its local businesses, along with candy and trick-or-treaters. 

Local businesses gathered together Friday with Main Street Kent to host Family Friendly Halloween. Families could bring their kids for outdoor trick-or-treating and food.

While having to cancel costume contests and indoor trick-or-treating due to COVID-19 crowding, kids could still collect their Halloween candy outside of participating downtown businesses. 

Business owners seemed elated to see the community gather as one again, despite the rainy and cold weather conditions. Matthew Moore, a Kent State Police officer, was happy to see the families participating in the event.

“We’re glad people are out again,” Matthew Moore said. “We’re all about it.”

Cathleen Clark, employee at Hometown Bank, wanted to make sure people were being mindful of the pandemic. 

“From an older person’s point of view, I think it’s great getting out and seeing the community,” Clark said. “We’re trying to hand out one candy at a time, so we’re being protective.”

Lisa Kellar, employee of Kent Free Library, dressed as a witch for the event. Kellar handed out candy with her two other colleagues in the Hometown Bank Plaza.

“I think it’s great for everyone to be able to do something as a community again, and the kids get to enjoy something too,” she said.

Families were able to bounce from business to business for those shops that were participating. Some businesses in the event included Barfly Retro Bar & Arcade, Kent State Hotel and Tree City Coffee.

Family Friendly Halloween also had designated crossing guards for the families. Crossing guard Tom Hatch, however, made sure that he was in the Halloween spirit by dressing up as a viking. 

Hatch was helping families cross the street while also giving fliers listing the participating businesses for the event. 

“I know that all these families have been dying to get out of their houses, so I know that they’re having a good time,” he said.

One family elated to be out in Kent was the family of Angel Fisher. After handing out candy from her own home the past few years, she was excited to be out in the community. 

“I am really excited,” she said. “It’s not as crowded as it was a couple years ago, but everybody seems to be in the spirit.”

Kayla Polansky is a fashion and relationships reporter. Contact her at [email protected].