NILES — To help provide a safe and welcoming environment to children this Halloween season, downtown businesses in collaboration with the Niles Main Street will host a Downtown Trick or Treat.

The 19th annual event will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, along Main Street in downtown Niles. All ages are welcome to participate. Those who attend will be invited to dress in costume and visit businesses to collect candy. The Downtown Trick or Treat is also intended to tie in with the Niles-Buchanan YMCA’s Fall Festival, which takes place that afternoon and includes games, a costume contest, pumpkin racing and hay rides, to name a few.

Lisa Croteau, the director of Niles Main Street, said it is an opportunity to provide a safe Halloween event for local youth.

“It’s lots of fun [and there] are always some of the most adorable costumes,” Croteau said. “Nice people and everybody has a good time.”

Croteau said the tradition brings between 700 to 1,500 children to the downtown to trick or treat. The tradition has also existed long enough that she said she sees parents, who used to attend the event as children, returning with children of their own. 

In addition to providing candy for children, Croteau said she also sees the event as a chance to promote downtown businesses.

“There is no business during that time, but it is one of those pieces that make people feel good about downtown,” Croteau said.

Business owners often get into the spirit themselves and will dress up in costumes.

Croteau invited other businesses outside the downtown district to participate. Civic organizations are also welcome to be part of the event. She said those interested can contact her to reserve a spot to hand out candy. There is no cost for businesses to participate in the event. Croteau can be reached at (269) 687-4332 or at nilesmainstreet@nilesmainstreet.org.

“We have plenty of room and we can always find a place for you,” Croteau said. “It is just lots of fun.”