A Small Town with a Big Halloween Spirit

Did you know that about one-third of the U.S. population does not celebrate Halloween?

There are, of course, a variety of reasons — from cultural to religious. Some schools have even switched to celebrating “alternative” seasonal events. But not in my hometown!

If you haven’t heard about the Halloween Capital of the World, then you’re missing out. No, I’m not talking about Salem, Massachusetts — I’m referring to Anoka, Minnesota. This small town of about 18,000 transforms every fall. We welcome visitors to the main event, the Anoka Halloween Grande Day Parade, which attracts approximately 30,000 people each year, making it one of the largest Halloween celebrations in the United States. It lasts for almost three hours (not kidding!).

While most know the city for the parade, there’s actually a huge buildup to this event throughout October. Having lived near the historic downtown for over 20 years, we didn’t just attend these events — we were part of them! From pumpkin carving contests and a medallion hunt to house-decorating contests, children’s costume contests, and even a 5K and 1-mile run/walk, our family has participated in many over the years. And that’s just the beginning of what the town offers leading up to Halloween.

A few years ago, my youngest daughter was a candidate for the Halloween Royalty — known as the Anoka Halloween Royal Ambassadors. It was an amazing experience for her and for us! She took part in fashion shows, volunteered at Halloween events, and marched in multiple parades. It has truly become a rite of passage for many young women in Anoka.

And about those parades — we don’t just have one big one; we actually have three! The Light Up the Night parade happens about a week before the Grande Day Parade and, as the name suggests, takes place after dark. All the floats and participants are illuminated as they make their way down Main Street.

But my favorite parade — and the one I miss the most since our children have grown up — is the Big Parade of Little People.

While some schools across the country have chosen not to celebrate Halloween, our local schools embrace it! All the children from the area’s elementary and middle schools dress up and march in this afternoon parade the day before the big one. It’s mostly attended by locals, which makes it a true community event.

I feel such joy when I think back on all the costumes (mostly homemade) our girls wore over the years — from witches to cupcakes to pumpkins, and “the green princess that flies” (that’s what my daughter used to call Tinkerbell).

While it makes me a little sad that my kids have outgrown these traditions, I’m so thankful they had the chance to grow up in a community that celebrates all things Halloween. I hope my future grandchildren will enjoy it someday, too!

You can find more info on Anoka Halloween here: https://anokahalloween.com/halloween/