<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2mHQGq_0wDBe2PK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2mHQGq_0wDBe2PK00" width="1200" height="628" ></figure>The Valparaiso community packed the streets of downtown for the annual trick-or-treat event featuring local businesses. On Friday, October 18, Valparaiso Events hosted the traditional event to give these kids a night to remember.Katie Abel, executive director at Valparaiso Events has helped with setting up for this event for years. She felt this event is the perfect spotlight the city has to offer during this time of the year.“Our downtown trick-or-treat event is just a fun, free event for the community to kick off the spooky season,” Abel said. “We have plenty of downtown businesses participating, as well as other local businesses that have a spot set up around the courthouse and in Central Park Plaza.”This year’s event consisted of 51 downtown businesses and 59 other local businesses. Bringing together so many different vendors for one night can be a tall task. Valparaiso Events worked diligently for several months to ensure all who attend could have a great time for this annual tradition.“We’ve had this on our calendar since the start of the year because it’s one of the biggest events that we do,” Abel said. “Business and people can plan for it while figuring out their fall celebration. Once it gets about two months away from the day, our manager starts reaching out to all of the businesses that have previously participated to get them signed up if they’re interested.”While this event is primarily for the kids, Abel believes this is a great environment for people to meet new faces and learn more about the participating businesses.“One of the biggest perks of events like this is they bring people in that maybe don’t normally come downtown,” Abel said. “As they’re walking around, they can see all the things that are offered here. We have so many restaurants, retailers and service providers in this space. It’s great exposure for the businesses and we hope it incentivizes them to come down here more often for shopping and dining.”Abel is appreciative of the team of sponsors and businesses that played a part in this year’s downtown trick-or-treat event. The platinum sponsor for this event was Hilltop Neighborhood House. Gold sponsors include the Porter County Public Library, Restoration Dental Studio of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University, Indiana Army National Guard and NWI Trailer Rentals.“It’s great to see how much fun people have with this event,” Abel said. “You can see that most places decorate their tents and stores to fit the theme. As adults, it really takes a lot of us back to our childhood when it comes to trick-or-treating. Seeing these kids smile and how creative they can be with their costumes is one of the coolest parts of the evening.”Valparaiso Events is glad to host one of the greatest traditions in the city for another successful year. While Halloween is inching closer and things will start to get scarier, they hope that everyone had a good time downtown with their close ones and left with plenty of candy. For more information on Valparaiso Events, you can visit their website.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Valparaiso Events treats the community for annual downtown trick-or-treat event

The Valparaiso community packed the streets of downtown for the annual trick-or-treat event featuring local businesses. On Friday, October 18, Valparaiso Events hosted the traditional event to give these kids a night to remember. Katie Abel, executive director at Valparaiso Events has helped with setting up for this event for...