Downtown Aurora transformed into a Halloween paradise for hundreds of families who dressed in costumes and enjoyed sunny skies while visiting dozens of businesses that passed out free candy for two hours Saturday afternoon as part of the annual trick-or-treat event in the city’s center.
The event was sponsored by the Aurora Downtown group.
“I think it’s a great event for Aurora to host for all the families, all the children. It’s a beautiful day, and it just feels very family-oriented today. So it’s a great day in Aurora,” Blanquita De Loera said while strolling Broadway with her 8-year-old daughter, Emma, dressed as Princess Belle.
“We have the whole family out here. Everybody’s enjoying themselves trick-or-treating, and all the kids are having fun,” she said. “We love it. It just shows how united Aurora is, and how it’s become a very family-oriented community.”
More than 40 participating locations including restaurants and museums gave thousands of pieces of candy to little clowns, ghouls and other creatively-dressed kids as part of the event, an annual tradition since 2015.
“It gives the businesses a lot of exposure,” said Maria Skokan, who owns Chupacabra Puerto Rican Kitchen in downtown Aurora with her husband, Peter. “I think it’s great that the community is involved with the downtown, so they can come out here and discover new businesses, new restaurants because we do need that foot traffic.”
Derek Stovall decided to come back to Chupacabra for lunch with his 6-year-old daughter, Courtney, after learning about the restaurant while she was collecting candy there. The Aurora resident said he “rarely” comes downtown.
“That’s part of the reason why we’re here now. We’re looking at some of the businesses that are open and looking at making sure that we patronize more of the local businesses,” Stovall said, adding that “this is the first time” he attended the annual event.
This was also the first year Tiffany Davidson took part in the annual trick-or-treating at downtown businesses, though she was born and raised in Aurora.
“It’s fun to dress up even as an adult, just enjoy yourself and have fun with it,” said Davidson, who dressed as a hippie along with Eddie Lesure and their 9-year-old son, Malaki, who was in a zombie costume. “I love it. It’s absolutely so much fun. It’s a special treat today.”
“I’ve never seen Aurora like this before. Everybody’s out. It’s a really good time. It’s nice weather,” Lesure said. “I want to go back to the jewelry store, Bella Jewelry.”
“They actually shortened this (necklace) for me today. They did a pretty good job,” Malaki said, adding that the event is “amazing and fun, and you can meet some people.”
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Bella Jewelry workers said they bought more than 3,000 pieces of candy to stay stocked during the full two hours of the event.
“It’s worth it to give back to our community and see downtown filled with children and families enjoying it,” said Gabi Valerio, who works at Bella Jewelry along with six of her cousins at the family-owned store. “We’ve been here for 25 years. We’d love to see more activity on Broadway. We’d love for it to be like this every weekend. It’s busy. I like it. It’s fun.”
“I think the best part for me is seeing our regular customers coming in,” said Elizabeth Cuevas, one of Valerio’s cousins who also works at Bella Jewelry and helped pass out candy. “It’s all family run and operated here. We’re here six days a week.”
Those attending said they enjoyed visiting the businesses downtown for treats.
“I think it’s great. This is better than going to people’s houses. This feels a little safer out in the community,” said Diamond Allen, who walked the streets of downtown with her 8-year-old daughter, Averie, dressed as demon slayer Nezuko.
“I love seeing all the kids in their costumes. I like the little dinosaurs. I saw a bunch of those blow-up dinosaurs,” said Allen, who has attended the event in previous years. “It’s a lot more businesses now that give out candy, so that does make a big difference. I think it’s great, getting their faces out here. Some of them are giving out coupons to generate business. I really see since the last time we were here, it’s really flourished business-wise.”
Diane Moca is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.