Kids invade Garfield Street, PLU for Halloween treats

Hundreds of children brought their best frightening figures, glamorous costumes and laughable looks for trick or treating on Halloween in the Garfield Business District and PLU residence halls.“Most of them really enjoy having the little kids come,” said Rebecca Rumpza, of the Office of Residential Life, about trick or treaters coming to campus. For almost a dozen years the two have provided a safe haven for kids to enjoy Halloween festivities, with many of the businesses offering fun activities like cookie decorating, blow-up monsters, family-friendly Halloween movies and more.

“It’s really, really fun,” said Elizabeth Johnson, of Elizabeth’s Holistic Health Spa. “Everybody kind of teams up and does their own little special thing.”

The Garfield Street business owner said the event has been a great source of community for all the participants.

“You get out there and you just feel a real sense of community,” Johnson said. “All the kids are just so sweet.”

It’s been a treat to partner with the business community to put on this event, Rumpza said. It really binds the community together, she added.

It’s also nice to get people out to learn about the wonderful businesses that are offered in their community, she said.

“It’s not only a wonderful event, but it gets new people to the street,” Johnson said.