No Tricks event continues to grow

The second annual No Tricks, Just Treats, held last Friday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., drew more than twice as many participants as last year’s inaugural event in downtown Sparta, according to Bob Bamburg, executive director of the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce.

“I’ve been told that we had as many as 450 kids this year,” commented Bamburg on Tuesday. “It was popular last year, but it was the first year and people didn’t know what to expect.” Last year’s crowd was estimated at about 200, with 18 businesses and organizations participating. Both totals more than doubled this year, as 40 businesses and organizations gave out candy.

“People really turned out this year and we had twice as many merchants,” said Bamberg. “It really caught on this year. People talked about it as getting out and having a festive time. It worked to help return some of the enjoyment to Halloween.”

WHAT A TREAT — Local youngsters and their parents line up on Main Street Oct. 29 (photo at left) to sample some apple cider as part of the annual No Tricks, Just Treats event. Doling out the warm cider is Minnie Mouse (Sandy Rost). In the photo at right, several local youths take part in one of the spooky activities at the Family Resource Center’s Halloween Extravaganza.

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