News editor
Main St. businesses are getting geared up for the annual rush of youngsters that comes with Trick or Treat Main Street.
As Halloween is Saturday, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce moved this year’s event to Friday to ensure trick-or-treaters will have plenty of businesses to visit.
Chamber office manager Lena Hall said Hillsboro Convention and Visitors Bureau will introduce a new event this year: a pumpkin carving contest.
“We thought it was something great to incorporate,” she said. “We’re hoping, with people coming downtown anyway, that they’ll bring their pumpkin and see if they win.”
Age categories include pre-kindergarten to second grade, third to sixth grades, and seventh grade and older. A fourth category, best business pumpkin, also is offered. A winner in each category will receive a blue ribbon and $25 in Chamber Bucks.
As in past years, the chamber office will distribute goody bags filled with donations from businesses that either are closed or located off Main Street.
“We have 500 bags in the office,” Hall said. “Last year we gave out 461 when we were in our old office on Grand St. We know people didn’t hit the side streets as much, so we’re excited to see what our numbers are this year being back on Main St.”
Pumpkin carving contestants should bring their pumpkins to the chamber office, 120 N. Main St., beginning at 4:30 p.m., with judging at 5 p.m.
Trick or Treat Main Street will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m.