ANOKA HALLOWEEN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD ®
www. abcnewspapers. com
HALLOWEEN MAGAZINE
October 22, 2025 | Anoka County Shopper | Page 12
2025 ANOKA HALLOWEEN SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SUNDAY OCTOBER
5
GREAT PUMPKIN EXPO
11AM-3PM • Anoka City Hall, 2015 1st Ave. N • FREE
Sponsored by Kennedy Scales / Mettler Toledo, City of Anoka, Ace Solid Waste, and Twin Cities Eye Consultants
adult pumpkin carving contest, buisness and craft vendors, food trucks, car show and more.
MONDAY OCTOBER
6
ANOKA HALLOWEEN
MEMORIAL BLOOD DRIVE
3PM-7PM • Fifth Avenue Dental, 1829 5th Ave.
Sponsored by Fifth Avenue Dental Your one donation can save up to 3 lives! Please see our website or Facebook page to sign up.
FRIDAY
10
OCTOBER
PUMPKIN BOWL *
Goodrich Field, 1525 5th Ave.
MONDAY OCTOBER
13
BINGO NIGHT
6PM-8PM • American Legion Anoka Post 102, 400 W Main St.
Sponsored by Murray Entrerprises DBA, Anoka McDonald’ s $. 25 a card. Doors open at 5:15PM. Bring nonperishable food donations for the local food shelf. Anoka Halloween buttons for purchase.
SATURDAY OCTOBER
18
CHILDREN’ S COSTUME CONTEST
10AM • Anoka City Hall, 2015 1st Ave. N • FREE
Sponsored by Lightbridge Academy This event will be open to children ages 0-5. Kid friendly Halloween music, balloon arch, and special treat bags for each participant. Contest winners will receive a medal and are invited to ride in the Grande Day Parade and the Big Parade of Little People. Registration is required.
SATURDAY OCTOBER
18
SCAN TO REGISTER.
CHILDREN’ S PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST
1PM-2:30PM • Riverfront Memorial Park, 2201 N Second Ave. • FREE
Sponsored by Bruce Nelson Little ones welcome to join in the fun. Create a small pumpkin using nature as your pallet.
SCAN TO VIEW ALL HALLOWEEN EVENTS
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HISTORY OF
Anoka, Minnesota, the Halloween Capital of the World ®, is the first city in the United States to put on a Halloween celebration to divert historical pranks such as soaping windows, putting wagons on roofs, releasing cattle, and turning over certain small buildings whether or not they were occupied.
In 1920, George Green and Anoka civic leaders suggested the idea of a giant celebration with an evening parade of thousands of costumed children marching down Main Street followed by popcorn, candy and peanuts for all. A huge bonfire ended the evening.
Celebrations have been held every year since 1920, with the exception of 1942 and 1943 during World War II. The 2025 celebration marks the 105th Anniversary, hosting activities for all ages.
ANOKA HALLOWEEN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD ®
GIFT SHOP
1925-1 / 2 Second Avenue Stop in for the latest 2025 Anoka Halloween merchandise plus other spooky items.
Store hours and information on facebook. com / AnokaHalloween or anokahalloween. com.
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Visit anokahalloween. com for updates on Anoka Halloween events.
Anoka Halloween, Inc. is an non-profit, all-volunteer committee. 501( c) 3 # 41-1476683