Published in the Oct. 29 – Nov. 11, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Cheri Devlin
Cheri Devlin
Reminiscing on Halloween memories always gives me a good laugh, especially when I think back to the college years, pre-kid parties and everything in between. But these days, Halloween with a Darth Vader loving Transition Kindergardener, an “Elsa” (from the movie “Frozen”) preschooler, and pea in a pod newborn, I couldn’t be more grateful to live in Morgan Hill to celebrate downtown at the annual Safe Trick or Treat event.
Before moving to Morgan Hill, we lived in a neighborhood that probably saw two trick-or-treaters a year on a street lined with porch lights turned off. Halloween highlights with an infant during those years was limited to costume pictures mid-day and an early night to bed. That all changed when we moved to Morgan Hill — and my excitement about Halloween changed with it.
Thanks to the Safe Trick or Treat event the Morgan Hill Downtown Association hosts annually with significant sponsorship by the city of Morgan Hill, we have a place to take the family for an evening of safe fun, candy to fill each kid’s bag and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.
The success of Safe Trick or Treat is a testament to the Morgan Hill Downtown Association and the city of Morgan Hill’s commitment to our community. The city makes it a priority to ensure this event is hosted year over year, providing monetary support, which helps cover operating expenses and permit fees. The event also couldn’t be made possible without the support of local businesses, nonprofits, neighborhood churches and other Morgan Hill-based sponsors.
Some of this year’s sponsors that will be passing out candy and other treats are: Primal Canine Dog Training, Huntington Station, Providence Presbyterian Church, BookSmart, Betto’s Bistro and West Hills Community Church, among others. To help with clean up, Recology will donate recycle bins and trash bins for the event.
Free candy won’t be the only reason to make a visit downtown on Friday.
Morgan Hill Bible Church will have a mini baseball diamond set up for the kids to practice their best swing.
Uesugi Farms will have a flatbed full of mini pumpkins for the perfect photo opportunities, and Church on the Rock will have a variety of kid’s games to offer trick or treaters a break from the sugar rush. And be sure to visit the Pirate Ship provided by the Morgan Hill Kiwanis before heading home.
As you make your way down Monterey Road, keep an eye out for random performers who might be making surprise appearances. And be sure to stop by The Music Tree to see what entertainment its performers have lined up this year.
Don’t miss this free community event in downtown Morgan Hill which runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 31.
Monterey Road will be closed from Dunne Avenue to Main Avenue, and will be flooded with costumed kids. So get your own kids dressed up, visit the candy sponsors along Monterey Road, and partake in the numerous activities planned along the way.
If you have any questions, please contact the MHDA Office at (408) 779-3190.
Cheri Devlin is a Morgan Hill resident and president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association Board of Directors.
