The Hastings community came away winning this weekend thanks to two great Halloween events attended by over 5,000 people. Every year on the weekend before Halloween, the City of Hastings and the Downtown Business Association (DBA) hold their respective events, first is the City’s Community Halloween Party on the Friday before Halloween held in the commons and gym at the high school. Then on the Sunday before Halloween, the DBA’s Candy Crawl is held downtown on Second Street. Both events collect funds and or food to benefit Hastings.

The Friday event kicked off Halloween week where more than 2,300 people turned out Friday night for the annual Community Halloween Party, making it one of the biggest events of the season. With 44 volunteers and over 40 interactive activity stations, the event offered something for everyone, from games and crafts to live performances, all thanks to strong community support.

Local businesses, nonprofits, and student groups teamed up to run 23 of the stations, while the Youth Impact Council, Hastings High School Hockey Team, and Volleyball Team organized 18 more. The party also served a greater purpose, collecting 1,120 pounds of food for Hastings Family Service and raising $580 for the Youth Impact Council Scholarship Fund.

Special thanks to the many sponsors, donors, and activity partners who helped make the Community Halloween Party a success. Sponsors included Keene Wealth Management, Wild Tree Wellness, Intek Plastics, Hoffman and McNamara, Evolution Auto, and Treasure Island. Donors who contributed to the event were Benedictine Living Community – Regina, The 437 Food Truck, Jersey Mike’s, Cub Foods, Coborn’s, Tires Plus, Abra Hovgaard Edward Jones, Fluegel Law Firm, Minnesota Coaches, Riverbend Pet Hospital, Tennis Sanitation, GDI, Farmers Insurance – Katy Lindberg, and Dakota Electric Association.

Activity partners who hosted stations or supported the event included Dakota County Public Health, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program, Homestead Community Church, SEAS, Pleasant Hill Library, Just for Kix, Farmers Insurance – Mike Thoreson Agency, United Way, Hastings Community Education, Hastings Police Department, HCTV, Silver King Games, Jans School of Dance, SC Toys, Hastings Hockey Association, Jeannie Tribe Photography, Carpenter Nature Center, River Blades Skating School, Community Action Partnership, Hastings Scouts, and the Hastings Rivertown Lions Club.

The DBA Candy Crawl had an absolutely perfect day outside with beautiful fall weather and a sunny day, over 3,000 people came out to downtown Hastings. The streets were buzzing with costumed kids and festive energy during this year’s Halloween Candy Crawl, which drew families from across the area for a fun and memorable afternoon. Trick-or-treaters made their way through local businesses, collecting candy and enjoying a full lineup of activities that brought the downtown district to life.

Highlights included a DJ on Second Street, balloon art at The Studio Downtown, cotton candy at Lock and Dam Eatery, and a bounce house sponsored by Hastings Public House & Golf Club. Families also took part in mini golf, sipped hot chocolate, and decorated pumpkins at 2nd Street Depot. Sibley Street hosted a lively Trunk-or-Treat, with local participants joining in to hand out treats from decorated vehicles.

In addition to the festivities, the event collected donations for Hastings Family Service, including chunky soups, tuna, peanut butter, and cereal. Collection bins were set up near the DJ and along Second Street to support the effort. The Sunday event gathered an additional 397 pounds of food to make the grand total collected between the two events 1,517 pounds of food. Special thanks go to the volunteer committee from the Downtown Business Association for organizing another successful and spirited community event.

Make sure to mark your calendars for next year. The Community Party is the Friday before Halloween from 6-8 p.m. and the Candy Crawl is the Sunday before Halloween from 2-5 p.m. With Halloween being on Saturday in 2026, the Candy Crawl will be Oct. 25, and the Community Party will be Oct. 30.

Be sure to check out www.hastingsjournal.news for additional pictures from both events!