'Ween weekend

Halloween is Saturday but trick-or-treaters seeking two days of candy gathering have options Friday thanks to the City of McMinnville and Main Street McMinnville.

Downtown McMinnville will be the place to be Friday, Oct. 30 as Main Street businesses will be giving out candy throughout the day. The festivities begin from 10 - 11:30 a.m. with Special Friends Trick-or-Treat, a sensory-friendly event for those with special needs to enjoy the day in a quieter setting. Participating businesses will display a blue pumpkin in their window to signify the availability of sensory-friendly options.

From 3 to 5 p.m., Downtown McMinnville Trick-or-Treat presented by Main Street McMinnville is open to all. Participating downtown businesses will display orange pumpkins and will be welcoming heroes, villains, goblins, ghouls and everything in between. Portions of Main Street will be closed from 2 - 6 p.m.

"This is probably my favorite event that Main Street does," Main Street McMinnville Executive Director Hannah Cowan Jones said. "It really makes you think we live in a Hallmark movie. We are so excited to welcome everyone to downtown McMinnville for our annual trick-or-treating event. There is truly nothing quite like our historic downtown during Halloween."

Due to Halloween falling on a Saturday when many downtown businesses are closed, the decision was made to extend the celebration for an extra day of fun.

"Holding this on Friday during regular business hours allows our local businesses to participate right alongside our community," Jones said. "​Several of our awesome downtown businesses that aren't located directly on Main Street will be setting up stations at The Lot and around the fountain during both trick-or-treating times. I'm looking forward to seeing some amazing costumes. Everyone remember to bring your candy bucket."

Main Street Media and the Main Street Journal will be one of many businesses set up downtown with treats as well as a chance to win tickets to Dollywood. The Journal's Facebook page will have a post Friday inviting everyone to leave a picture of their costumes in the comments to enter the MSJ costume contest with the winner receiving four tickets to Dollywood, a $400 value.

Later in the evening, the festivities will move to Milner Recreation Center for the 14th annual Trail of Treats presented by McMinnville Parks & Recreation. The event will run from 5 - 6:30 p.m. and will feature 29 booths manned by various businesses and organizations. The booths will be set up around the walking trail offering candy and treats around every turn.