Thanks to efforts by the Estes Chamber of Commerce and other individuals, Halloween as we know and love it here in Estes Park will be back this All Hallow’s Eve.
Thanks to the excellent research work of Estes Park Museum Director Derek Fortini, the Trail-Gazette learned that the tradition of closing Elkhorn Avenue to make trick ‘r treating safe for kids dates back to 1983.
An article in the Oct. 26, 1984 edition of the Trail-Gazette contains an article written by Bill Clough detailing the festivities.
“More than 60 stores and services from one end of Elkhorn Avenue to the other are staying open, and their owners and managers will don costumes to entertain whatever form of youthful goblin, ghost, or ghoul who might bump into their shop,” wrote Clough.
Clough goes on to write how the festivities on Elkhorn began a year before, “from a suggestion by photographer Moses Swindler.”
Since then, kids and parents alike have enjoyed the stroll through downtown where the doors are much closer together than most of the Estes neighborhoods.
For nearly 40 years, the downtown business district has participated in the tradition. Some even close their stores, regardless of what it might mean for their revenues on what could be a Friday or Saturday night.
“If you ask the downtown businesses about revenue on Halloween, responses will vary. Some will stay open during trick-or-treating but many of them close just to make it fun for the kids,” said Estes Chamber of Commerce Director Donna Carlson. “I’ve heard some of the merchants say this is a thank you to all of the locals who endure the crowds throughout the summer so that our business community can thrive, which brings revenue that we all benefit from.”
Last year the COVID-19 pandemic nearly cancelled the Halloween celebration all together, that is until Carlson and her crew sprung into action. The Chamber, along with help from volunteers created a, not only pandemic-safe, but fire safe drive-by ‘Trunk-or-Treat’ at the Estes Park High School.
“Downtown businesses will be giving out candy,” said Carissa Streib of Simply Christmas in downtown Estes Park, who volunteered to coordinate the event on behalf of the Chamber. “If people want to donate candy there will be drop off boxes at Safeway and Dollar General.”
This year, the celebration, which lends itself to mask-wearing, is scheduled to haunt the night of Oct. 31, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. in downtown Estes Park.
The Estes Park Police Department is happy to have the event pack in its traditional form.
“Growing up in a city where people went door to door, I thought and still do think that this is such a cool program. It is one of the only programs that focuses on our local population,” said Estes Park Police Department Captain Corey Pass.
