Families flock to Glen Ellyn for early trick-or-treating

Spider-Man, Darth Vader and Dora the Explorer along with their parents assembled Saturday in downtown Glen Ellyn for an early taste of Halloween.

Their arrival was part of a Halloween event sponsored by the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce. It began with a costume parade led by members of the Glenbard West High School Drum Line, followed by children trick-or-treating in local businesses up and down Main Street.

By 10:30 a.m., the downtown was alive with colorful costumes and children's happy screams.

“They love Halloween,” Glen Ellyn resident Marcia Weaver said of her two children, Max and Stephanie, as they emerged from the Busy Bee Barber Shop with some treats. “It's nice to do something early, and it's nice that it's right here at home.”

Six-year-old Karen Buchanan and her mother, Miranda, dressed as witches for the event. Karen, who'd just gotten some treats at the Bells and Whistles Snackery, said she liked dressing up with her mom.

“It's fun,” she said. “I'm glad we can do it tomorrow, too.”

Saturday's Halloween event was fun not just for local families, but for the business owners as well.

Jane Stroh, who's worked at the Book Store on Main Street since 1985 and owned it since 1997, said that while the trick-or-treating event doesn't necessarily sell books, it does add to the inviting atmosphere downtown. The Book Store celebrated its 50th anniversary this past August.

“Glen Ellyn has always had a reputation for being a tight-knit community, and this kind of event helps reinforce that,” she said, as trick-or-treaters filed into her store. “And I think it does get people downtown and show them what's here. That always helps.”