Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Groups of children from toddlers to teen-agers stood huddled in their costumes in front of the downtown businesses waiting for the doors to open so their Halloween Stroll could begin. The Halloween Stroll allowed children and their parents to trick-or-treat along the strip of businesses from Fifth to 10th streets Halloween night in Steamboat Springs.

Danielle Stauffer, who was dressed as the devil, was out trick-or-treating with her mom, Susan. She said she likes the candy and was waiting for a friend before she started to fill her Halloween bucket with treats.

"It's nice to have a safe place for kids to meet their friends," said Susan Stauffer.

Other prominent members of the community were present to show their support and contribute to the community's festivities.

The Sheriff's Office, Fire Department, Police Department and an ambulance crew were parked along the center of Lincoln Avenue giving candy to children.

"It's the greatest thing for kids to shop the main street down and have a great atmosphere where they can be safe," said Sheriff John Warner.

"We love doing this for the kids to show them that the law enforcement is truly out there for them."

Chuck Cerasoli, a firefighter handing out candy, said he was glad to be able to participate and thought it was a super event.

Many local businesses have been participating in the event for years. Todd Allen of Allen's has been giving out candy since the Halloween Stroll was started.

"It's cute to see the kids every year," Allen said. He said his kids participated in the stroll and that his mother usually helps give out the candy.

"She really loves it," he said.

Wayne Long, portraying Austin Powers, handed out candy at the Century 21 office from a trough that sat next to him on a hay bale.

"It's really fun," he said.

Older kids enjoyed the stroll as it gave them time to hang out with friends.

Jamie Winter, a hippie, and Kimi Curd, a devil, trick-or-treated downtown together. They said they were out to have fun and get some candy. Curd said it is easier than trick-or-treating in other neighborhoods.

"I like being downtown better," said Winter.

Parents participating in the stroll were provided an opportunity to mingle with members of the community.

Luanne Feldmann brought her three children ages 3, 4 and 18 months downtown.

She said she likes seeing her friends who are parents themselves often dressed up in costumes to escort their children down the street.

The stroll, she said, "is more of a community thing."

Feldmann said she enjoys door-to-door trick-or-treating, but her children's young ages make it more convenient for them to walk downtown.

"We kind of cheat and come early, so our children don't get trampled by all the people," Feldmann said.

The stroll for many children ended as their hands, feet and faces got cold and their candy buckets started to get too heavy.