By Debbie Adams
Vinton never does anything halfway. That includes celebrating Halloween. This year the
festivities began the weekend before with various Trunk or Treat events at churches and the
Moose Lodge; the Lancerlot hosted their annual Trick or Treat on all three floors, midweek; the
town held its traditional downtown Trick or Treat on Thursday, the 30th , postponed from earlier
in the week due to inclement weather; schools held costume contests and parties; and finally
there was trick-or-treating in the neighborhoods on Friday night.
Downtown Trick-or-Treating is a tradition spanning the decades in Vinton and one of Vinton’s
most popular events. It not only provides children with a safe venue to collect treats but gives
exposure to local businesses and restaurants.
The streets of downtown Vinton were packed again this year. Vinton’s Director of Cultural
Placemaking and Events, Mandy Adkins, estimated roughly 4,000 people showed up, including
children in costumes, accompanied by parents, extended family, and in some cases, pets. They went door to door, visiting all the participating businesses (and most were), along with booths set
up by businesses and organizations not located in the downtown area—some 45 of them.
treats in downtown Vinton. (photo by Debbie Adams)
The hours of the event were extended this year from 3 to 6 p.m. to allow families more time to
attend after work and school.
The event also expanded to the Vinton Farmers’ Market and the market stage with live music
from DJ RyRy of RSP Entertainment and a kids/family costume contest.
Winners of the contest included:
- Best Family Costume: The Huff Family
- Best Costume: Ezra Hanninen (Cowgirl and side kick)
- Funniest Costume: Madison Carroll
- Scariest Costume: Chevy Southers (Scary Bunny, in a vintage family costume passed
down through the generations) - Cutest Costume: Maverick Rice (Lightning McQueen)
- Most Creative Costume: Evan Nichols (Rooster)
as Scary Bunny. (photo by Mandy Adkins)
holding his trophy. (photo by Mandy Adkins)
Hanninen (Cowgirl and side kick) (photo by Debbie Adams)
Vinton. (photo by Debbie Adams)
That wasn’t the only costume contest in town. The staff at William Byrd Middle School
continued their traditional Halloween Costume Contest for their 14th year—an event begun by
principal at the time, Tammy Newcomb. First place this year went to the seventh grade staff as
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of William Beard!”
staff Halloween Contest: Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of William Beard, 7 th grade staff, Ms.
Pernot, Ms. Alvos, Ms. Hall, Mr. Cronauer, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Wren, Mr. DelCastillo, Mr. Ryall
and group leader, Mrs. Addison. (photo courtesy of WBMS)
Thrasher Memorial UMC held their Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 26. The Vinton Police
brought along their mobile unit and cooked close to 500 hot dogs for the crowd. Winners of the
trunk decorating contest there were first place Becky Cregger with her trunk decorated as “Jonah
and the Whale”; second place, Gwen and Bruce Ashby and family with “The Sweetest Name”;
and third place Robin Claris dressed as F.R.O.G. for “Fully Rely on God.”
Treat contest—Gwen and Bruce Ashby and family with “The Sweetest Name I Know.” (photo by Debbie Adams)
What’s next in Vinton? Less than a month until the Christmas Parade on December 4.
(Find more Halloween photos on the Vinton Messenger Facebook page)
