A beloved tradition returns to downtown Canby this month, as the city and local businesses will again welcome thousands of costumed children on Halloween for door-to-door trick-or-treating and other festive fun.
The city-hosted event will be from 3 to 6 p.m. at participating businesses on Sunday, Oct. 31.
Organizers are encouraging even downtown businesses that might normally be closed on Sundays to open for Halloween in anticipation of a large turnout.
“I anticipate downtown will see a lot of children this year for Halloween,” Canby Economic Development Director Jamie Stickel said in an email. “Typically, when Halloween falls on the weekend, we see an influx of children.”
The Canby Fire District will also be handing out candy in conjunction with the city and business owners.
Businesses that plan to participate are asked to print and display the event flyer in their store windows to signal they will be handing out candy — basically the downtown Canby version of leaving the front porch lights on during Halloween.
Some businesses or nonprofits located outside of the downtown core may also participate in the event in the form of a pop-up “trunk or treat” or “tent or treat.”
One group that will be taking advantage is Canby Christian Church, which will host its annual Trunk-or-Treat event in their parking lot, 444 North Holly Street, on Oct. 31.
The city nixed its Downtown Canby Spooktacular Village celebration last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and related statewide restrictions on large events.
However, smaller, more socially distanced observances were encouraged and did take place, including a trunk or treat event at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds and Event Center.