By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Neither COVID nor stormy weather kept Sitkans away from last year’s downtown trick or treating event, and the Chamber of Commerce expects a similarly enthusiastic response this year.
“We had a huge storm,” recalls Rachel Roy, executive director of the Chamber and Visit Sitka. “It was raining sideways, and we still had a constant flow of people, but it was not too congested. Kids came out – it was really nice to have something that felt more normal and we were able to do safely.”
This year’s event is 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, October 31, and the trick or treat zone is Lincoln Street between Lake Street and Katlian Street. The street will be closed and the entire event is outdoors.
Like last year, participants are asked to follow COVID precautions including physical distancing and face coverings.
Initially, each business had to cover the cost of the candy it would give the trick or treaters, and it was expensive in light of the 1,000 or so pieces that would be needed at each storefront for the event.
But for the past several years the Chamber has subsidized the program, inviting the public and businesses throughout town to contribute to the Lincoln Street trick or treat candy budget.
Some businesses not located on Lincoln Street came downtown last year to participate in giving out candy, and Roy said she hopes they’re up for it this year as well.
“A few had pop-ups – the radio station (KIFW), and Allen Marine had a huge pumpkin, and there were additional booths and candy-giving locations filling in some areas,” Roy said.
Downtown trick-or-treaters fill Lincoln Street in 2019, the last time the event was held. (Sentinel file photo)
The link for making donations at particular levels is on the Chamber home page, sitkachamber.com. A “king-size” sponsor is $251-$500; fun-size sponsor is $101-$250; and mini-size sponsor is $1-100.
Roy said donations of any level are welcome, as are donations of candy brought to the visitors center, 104 Lake Street, by October 27. Those with questions may call 747-8604.
In addition to the $1,000 raised last year, dozens of bags of candy were dropped off at the Chamber office. Last year, an Alaska Airlines employee filled up a plastic bag the size of a baby car seat with candy as the airline’s contribution.
Roy said her 9-year-old son Jacob has his costume ready and is excited about trick-or-treating this year. He has a costume mask in addition to his COVID face covering, she said.
After trick-or-treating, she has her own tradition of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for the family, and in an ordinary year her son’s friends and others from the neighborhood as well.
It’s not only something to offset the sizable amounts of candy consumed by the kids, but a remembrance of her brother Jesse, who died 24 years ago when he was a sophomore in high school.
“It was his favorite meal,” Roy said. “My mom (Denise) started this – that’s what she would make for us on Halloween.” Rachel continued the tradition as an adult for her daughter Madison Roy-Mercer, now 19, and for Jacob.
It honors Jesse, Roy said, and also, “it’s belly-warming and a way to help calm down the sugar rush that’s inevitable.”
