The Kutztown Optimist Club has brought back a popular Trick-or-Treating event on Kutztown’s Main Street after a five-year hiatus.

A crowd of approximately 3,000 people attended the event, renamed Trick or Treat, on Main Street on October 23.

“The weather cooperated at 75 degrees with no rain in sight, and an estimated 2,750 to 3,000 people attended to enjoy a great, safe Trick-or-Treat experience!” committee co-chair John Schmoyer said in a statement. “Our committee worked hard to bring this back to life, and thanks to the hard work and support of so many people, we were able to do it.”

The club previously hosted the popular and well-attended Merchant Trick or Treat for over 12 years. More than 3,000 children attended the last event in October 2019, along with their parents.

The COVID pandemic wiped out the event in 2020.

After a five-year hiatus, the Optimist Club decided to revive the event for the Kutztown community and surrounding youth, renaming the event Trick or Treat on Main Street.

The Optimist Club hoped to provide a place where families could bring their children for a safe night in, plenty of candy and treats, and bring back a missed night of fun.

“The goal is to offer a safe and fun night of Trick-or-Treating with candy tables in Kutztown on Main Street,” he said.

Merchants, clubs, nonprofits and Kutztown University student groups set up tables and handed out candy on three blocks from Constitution Avenue to West Main Street. To Baldy Street. West Main Street was closed to traffic.

“The support from traders in the area has been excellent,” he said.

Kutztown Scout Troop 101-G, Kutztown and Kempton Girl Scouts, Kutztown Strong, Kutztown Rotary Club, Kutztown Lions Club, Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star participated, along with more than 75 bands, 40 merchants and 27 KU student groups. name a few.

“The feedback seemed great, a lot of praise for bringing back Trick-or-Treat night, a lot of positive comments on the street and after,” Schmoyer said. “The look on the children’s faces as they went from table to table collecting candy, having fun and smiling was a very satisfying feeling that the project was a great success.”

One of the highlights of the event was the costume contest. Prizes of $50 and $25, respectively, were awarded to first and second place winners in seven categories: funniest, most original and creative, scariest, cutest baby, best parent-child combination, best themed couple or themed kids, and best costumed pet. animal.

The Optimist Club would like to thank participating merchants, clubs and groups, as well as Trick-or-Treaters and their parents, Kutztown County elected officials, police and event sponsors. The Optimist Club committee organizing the event includes co-chairs John Schmoyer and Doug Sanders, Matt Hilbert, AJ Reitz and Ken Remick.

“The event would not have been possible without the numerous merchants and groups who purchased large quantities of candy to distribute that night, a large expense for attendees,” Schmoyer said. “We thank Kutztown District for their vote and support in providing road closures and barricades, police and NGOs on the ground.”

This year, the Optimist Club was able to secure the financial support of eight sponsors to help cover additional expenses such as advertising and portable restrooms.

Sponsors include The Kutztown Hobos, AD Moyer Lumber, Fraternal Order of Eagles – Kutztown, Kutztown Fire & Rescue, East Penn Manufacturing/DEKA Battery, Topton Family Practice’s Dr. They include Joe Blasiol, Steve Bond of Thrivent Financial and Ritas of Kutztown and Hamburg. .