Halloween comes early downtown

By Charnika Jett
Oct. 28, 2009    ·    12:14 a.m.

For those kiddies who can’t wait to don their costume and parade around town to fill their bags with sweet treats, they’re in luck.

Parents can take their costume kids to the Halloween Festival in downtown Ypsilanti from 5 - 7 p.m. Friday, a day before regularly scheduled trick-or-treating on Saturday.

Hours for trick-or-treating on Saturday throughout the community are 5 – 7 p.m., but for those who want to get in on the festivities early can go to and from the Library Plaza and Washington Street to grab a balloon made in the shapes of animals or dance to the funky beats provided by DJ Lawrence Wartley while they temporarily brand themselves in fake tattoos.

Donna DeButts, community relations coordinator at the Ypsilanti District Library, said the event will feature many fun activities presented by businesses in Ypsilanti. One business that will provide activities for the kids will be the downtown Library.

“Our ‘boo-k mobile’ is a great big bus that has computers and a story area inside,” DeButts said. “It will be at the back of the park next to the library.”

There in the park, people can either check out books or get a library card while they nibble on popcorn provided by the staff that will be dressed to impress in costumes.

Popular kid favorite Andy the ambulance will also be in attendance to supply toddlers with giggles.

“Huron Valley has a little robot ambulance that’s about the size of a washing machine,” DeButts explains. “A guy walks around with it and Andy blinks its eyes and kids just love him.”

In addition to the free friendly-spook fun, kids who desire thrills can brave the dark at the haunted house in Club Divine. Afterwards, all kids under 12 can enter a costume challenge that will be divided into three categories according to age group. Each group will award three children with either first, second, or third prize. The gifts awarded will be from a local business.

While the kids frolic along the sidewalk to collect goodies from local businesses at designated tables, parents can donate a canned good or two to SOS Community Services, a local non-profit organization that provides emergency housing services to families in need.

“We are also doing a benefit for SOS Community Services, so if people would like to give something to people who are less fortunate than themselves, they can bring a can or box food to help feed people,” DeButts said.

The Downtown Association of Ypsilanti has put on Halloween celebrations for the last five or six years, DeButts said, but this is only the second time the celebration will not block off Michigan Avenue, in the attempt to not cause traffic congestion around the area.

“Closing Michigan Avenue made businesses unhappy because their customers couldn’t get to their stores,” DeButts said.

“It made people who were on their way home from work unhappy [and] students leaving the College of Business. So the police department asked us to reconsider doing that because it puts a strain on the city’s resources,” DeButts said.

To put an ease to everyone’s mind, festival organizers will only close Washington Street, which DeButts said, won’t cause a problem for any of the local business or drivers. To ensure children’s safety when crossing Michigan Avenue, DeButts said volunteers would help kids cross the street.

The Library Park is located at 229 W. Michigan Ave. For more information on the Halloween Festival, contact DeButts at 734-879-1303.