The Downtown Pullman Association, in partnership with WSU First Down Friday, organized a traditional Pullman Trick-or-Treat to welcome families from around the Palouse on WSU’s Family Weekend.
The trick-or-treats were placed outside storefronts for the children and visitors from 4 to 8 p.m. on Main Street last Friday.
Chelsea Whitney, Downtown Pullman Association board member, said the trick-or-treat event has been going on for about ten years and has become one of the classic Pullman traditions that families look forward to every fall.
Whitney said partnering with WSU led to a huge turnout this year, with about three times as many people compared to past years.
“Olson Street was packed from start to finish,” Whitney said.
WSU student Ari Smith said this was her first time at downtown Pullman trick-or-treat and she loved the concept of every local business providing treats.
Smith said she had never been a part of something like this and it was a wonderful experience, especially in combination with WSU’s Family Weekend.
The trick-or-treat event had a simple goal to create a safe space for kids to enjoy Halloween and encourage people to explore and support downtown businesses. Whitney said it is a great way to connect the community and bring a little seasonal magic to Main Street.
In the spirit of the football weekend, a new “Coug fan” category was also added to the traditional downtown costume contest. This category received two WSU football tickets donated by the university as a prize to celebrate family, students and businesses, showing Cougar pride.
“The winner really went all out,” Whitney said.
The Coug fan winner wore a costume to go as The Technicolor Heart, the well-known sculpture on campus.
Whitney said it was a clever nod to WSU culture for a big laugh from the crowd.
The Downtown Pullman Association coordinates with the City of Pullman and law enforcement to make sure the streets are safe for pedestrians, Whitney said.
She said the businesses hand out the treats right at their doors and it is encouraged to keep the sidewalks clear and well-lit. Most stores decorated their storefronts and went all out with costumes and themed displays.
Whitney said they are participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year to help kids with food allergies have an inclusive and fun experience. This means the Downtown Pullman Association provided teal pumpkins as an allergy-friendly option. This project also ensures there are non-food treats available for everyone with food allergies.
Smith said the teal pumpkins were a smart incorporation that she had not witnessed before, but felt quite inclusive.
The event is a boosting experience for local businesses as most families stop by shops that they might not have visited before and for dinner, Whitney said.
“It is one of those events that reminds people how vibrant and welcoming downtown Pullman really is,” Whitney said.
Whitney mentioned Grocery Outlet made an incredibly generous donation to help provide candy for participating businesses, so the organizers were able to make sure every storefront had plenty of treats to share. While most families visiting are from Pullman, visitors from surrounding areas like Moscow and Colton are common since it is a regional event that brings people together from across the Palouse, Whitney said.
WSU students volunteered to help hand out candy and guide families through downtown, which allows them to engage with the community outside of campus, Whitney said, and families love seeing the students join in the Halloween spirit.
Parents usually convey how much they appreciate having an organized, walkable trick-or-treating option, and kids love the costumes, decorations and candy, Whitney said.
“Our goal is for every family to feel welcome and comfortable joining the fun,” Whitney said.
