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Main street businesses to hand out treats

By Avani Nadkarni/of The Herald

Sumner Downtown Association Executive Director Shelly Schlumpf knows that parents can have a hard time finding a safe place for their costumed children to trick-or-treat on dark Halloween nights.

So, several years ago, Schlumpf and the downtown-area merchants decided to start Street of Treats, a Sumner Halloween event during which Main Street is shut down to vehicles and downtown businesses stay open late and welcome little ghosts and goblins. Schlumpf is expecting a larger-than-normal crowd this year, both from area businesses and visitors.

“Our events this year have had an increase in attendance across the board (by) 25 percent to 150 percent,” Schlumpf said. “Based on this, we anticipate an increase in trick-or-treaters this year ... so we’re really glad to have more business participation downtown.”

Non-downtown Sumner area businesses are branching out to join the fun this year, she said. Aside from the regular downtown stores, the Sumner branch of Pierce County Libraries, Riverside Ford and Jay Lee’s Honda of Sumner will also be participating, a first for the event.

Sumner’s famous Dancing Scarecrows — actors from Sumner’s Ascension Productions who performed at the early October Autumn Evening and other events — will return for Street of Treats to perform a special abbreviated version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance. The dancers are inviting residents to join them, which adds a special Sumner touch, Schlumpf said.

“The addition of the Dancing Scarecrows entertainment where anyone ... can join in adds a real hometown element ... something Sumner is known for,” she explained.

Sumner’s Street of Treats will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, on Main Street from Kincaid Avenue to Ryan Avenue. For more information, visit www.sumnerdowntown.com.