PITTSTON — Ghosts, devils, superheroes and more invaded Main Street for a spooktacular evening Friday.
Children from all over Greater Pittston gathered downtown as the city celebrated the Second Annual Trick or Treat on Main Street event.
Organizers Sarah Donahue, Kerri Walsh and Greg Holl postponed the event from Oct. 21, and the clear but chilly night saw thousands of children and their parents crowding Main Street, trick or treating at participating businesses during the event.
Police shut down one lane of Main Street to allow two farm tractors take dozens and dozens of children and parents for a one-block ride from the Tomato Festival lot down Main Street and back.
Organizers estimate 3,000 participated in the Halloween festivities.
According to Donahue, last year’s event was an overwhelming success so organizers decided to bring it back for a second year.
“I think the turnout is fabulous,” Donahue said. “I was obviously concerned with the Pittston Area/Wyoming Area game tonight which is something I didn’t want to do, that’s why the original plan was to have it on Oct. 21.”
According to Donahue, many of the attractions would not have been available on Saturday, so the decision was made to go through with plans for Friday evening, despite the cross-town rival high school football game between Pittston Area and Wyoming Area.
“It’s actually better than I thought it would be considering the football game is being played tonight,” Donahue said. “I’m very pleased with the turn out and I think there’s more people here than last year and last year blew me away.”
Brace’s Orchard set up a large vending area in the lower lot of the Tomato Festival selling everything from candy apples to apple cider.
“The sidewalks are literally filled and it’s only six o’clock,” said Jerry Mancinelli of Brace’s Orchard. “It is a great way to introduce a lot of people to see what we have. As a business owner, it’s just an amazing night in Pittston, it’s just a great turnout and people are so friendly and happy and the kids can have fresh fruit.”
In addition to a costume contest, face painting by the Pittston Area Art Club was available, and TJ Belt was on hand to create balloon art.
Many parents got into the spirit of Halloween, also dressing in costume.
“It’s really great to see the City of Pittston to do something like this for the community; it gets everyone out and it looks like everyone is having a great time,” Michael Cefalo said as he and his wife Jacqueline accompanied their 2-year-old daughter Ellie from vendor to vendor.
“I think this is a fun, safe alternative to the worries of Halloween,” Jacqueline Cefalo said.
