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Halloween costumes are normally worn once or twice and either discarded or washed and returned to their normal use, but not this time. Hastings area businesses, the Hastings Parks and Recreation Department, Hastings High School and various community groups turned Halloween into a family friendly, weekend long celebration giving everyone ample opportunity to dress up in their costumes and get a bunch of candy.

The Friday before Halloween, the city parks and rec department, in conjunction with Hastings High School and area businesses host the Community Halloween Party at HHS. Pre-covid, it was inside the commons area, but the response of moving it outside was so positive, they have kept the outside setup for now and have the inside as a backup plan. Several hundred families turn up to get free candy, visit all the wonderful vendors and participate in a variety of games for a few hours.

Saturday, Oct. 29, Cub and Fleet Farm had their own trick or treat events. Cub had trick or treat stations around the inside of the store and Fleet Farm and a trunk or treat event in the parking lot. The adults had their time for fun Saturday night with the downtown pub crawl.

Sunday, the Downtown Business Association held their Candy Crawl event which included a window decorating contest for the businesses, (congratulations Katy Lindberg -Farmers Insurance for winning that), as well as games for kids and most businesses handing out treats. There was a DJ, photo booth area, other picture taking opportunities and fun.

Hundreds of families lined up for the Fleet Farm trunk or treat event Saturday afternoon, Oct. 29. The line moved pretty quickly with folks getting treats from cars in the lot at Fleet Farm.Photo by Bruce Karnick

The crowd for the DBA Candy Crawl was awesome and the afternoon was full of fun in the sun. It was a perfect afternoon to enjoy one of the last warm days of the season, let kids run amuck and gather goodies. Photo by Bruce Karnick

Mayor Mary Fasbender presents the certificate and traveling trophy to Katy Lindberg of Farmers Insurance, Katy Lindberg Agency, who won the window decorating contest. Second place went to Quaint and Quirky and third place went to Grove Boutique. Photo by Bruce Karnick.

The Raiders Girls Hockey team had members downtown to help with setup and anything else that was needed. Left to Right – Maddy Schuster, Lauren Muhl, Brooke Townsend, Catherine Zaccardi, Alexandra Zaccardi, Makayla Berquist, Bree Balster, Emily Thuet, Jade Schauer and Kylie Gruden. Photo by Bruce Karnick