Black Mountain neighborhood gets ready for Halloween

Church, Connally and North Dougherty Streets to host thousands

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 25, 2022

Black Mountain residents who live on Church, Connally and North Dougherty Streets are preparing for a busy Halloween, which is expected to bring thousands of trick-or-treaters to their neighborhood. Photo by Fred McCormick

As Halloween draws nigh, a typically quiet Black Mountain neighborhood is preparing for the bustling return of a local tradition.

Residents along Church, Connally and North Dougherty Streets, and much of Laurel Circle, will welcome thousands of trick-or-treaters, beginning at dusk on Monday, Oct. 31.

What has become an annual family-friendly event in recent years began simply with neighbors passing out candy to costume-clad children decades ago. The number of Halloween revelers has increased steadily nearly every year since, with some households giving away 2,000 individual pieces of candy in recent years.

While the neighborhood has evolved into a popular destination for trick-or-treaters, the event is not coordinated by a group or individual. Black Mountain Public Safety offices will assist the neighborhood with the influx of foot traffic, according to town officials.

The gathering will mark the culmination of a weekend of Halloween events around the town, beginning with the 20th Annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade, scheduled for 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29. The event, organized by Visions of Creation and Bone-A-Fide Pet Boutique, will include a costume contest with prizes for the winners. Registration for the gathering will be held from 1 - 2:30 p.m. in Town Square, with a $5 fee for pets and $8 fee for pets and people. A portion of the money collected will be donated to a local animal rescue organization.

Around the corner, from 4 - 6:30 p.m., Saturday, the Black Mountain Center for the Arts will host an Owl-Loween Boogie. The family-friendly party, which is $5 for children and $10 for adults, will feature dancing, treats, crafts and games., and is also sponsored by Warren Wilson College.

Halloween weekend festivities will continue in the south parking lot of First Baptist Church of Black Mountain, from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 30, with Trunk or Treat. The event features decorated vehicles with candy for young participants, and costumes are encouraged.