There will be lots of Halloween happenings around Asheville on Saturday night, but one of the biggest parties around town involves a street closing.
Hundreds of costumed trick or treaters converge on Vermont Avenue in West Asheville each year for candy-filled extravaganza.
And while the children are tricked out in their costumes so are the houses. All along Vermont Avenue the homes are decked out to the Halloween nines, often with costumed hosts handing out the candy.
The barricades will go up at 5:30 p.m. and come down at 9 p.m. Neighbors have organized a Halloween on Vermont Avenue page where you can sign up to volunteer, donate candy or just get more information about the event.
Most of Vermont Avenue and parts of side streets will be closed to car traffic. Parking on side streets is limited and discouraged. Parking is suggested at West Asheville Park or along Haywood Road. Better yet, walk or bike!
Here is a video from Vermont Avenue Halloween 2014.
Halloween safety
Pedestrian safety is of importance on all days but with many more children and families on the streets caution is advised, whether you are driving, walking or bicycling.
Here’s a watchword: visibility.
Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costumes. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so he/she can see clearly out of it.
Be on the lookout for the Asheville Fire Department, which will be in local neighborhoods handing out glow bracelets.
The Watch for Me NC program offers these safety tips:
- Plan and discuss a safe route trick-or-treaters intend to follow and establish a return time. Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along the established route.
- Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
- Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
- Walk on sidewalks, not in the street. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
- Cross streets at crosswalks when available. Look both ways before crossing streets and cross when the lights tell you to cross, after you check for cars in all directions.
- Don’t cut across yards or driveways.