Vernonia’s Halloween Sidewalk Parade Is a Fun Annual Tradition
Story and photos by Scott Laird
Every October, the Vernonia community comes together to host a fun, safe, family-friendly Halloween celebration.
Held rain or shine—and always on October 31 —the Vernonia Halloween Sidewalk Parade has become a favorite community tradition for families, businesses, and community groups. Children and adults dressed in colorful, creative costumes gather at Vernonia City Hall. When the clock strikes 5 p.m., they begin their stroll through downtown to collect candy from local business owners and other community groups who set up along the sidewalks.
Witches, minions, characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” and zombies are among the popular costumes each year. Faces are intricately painted to represent the Joker, La Catrina, and even Oompa Loompas. Some participants cover their faces entirely, donning masks or wrapping up as mummies.
Whatever the costume, participants take the opportunity to become a new character.
The Vernonia tradition began nearly 20 years ago, when Camrin Eyrrick moved to town and opened a children’s toy store, The Clever Cricket. Camrin brainstormed a trick-or-treat parade through downtown, came up with a route, worked out safety protocols with the local police department, and reached out to the city of Vernonia to work through the permitting process. She made posters, persuaded fellow business owners to participate, and handed out flyers to children at school to take home.
“It was just a way to promote my business but also to provide a trick-or-treat alternative for families,” Camrin says.
Most business owners turned out and met the parade at their storefronts. About 150 children participated in the first year, and a new tradition was born.
From there, Camrin says, the idea grew, and the ball began rolling.
The local chamber of commerce helped organize the sidewalk parade for several years. For the past few years, the parade has been managed by the Intercultural Society of Vernonia, a group that hosts several community activities, including Easter egg hunts for children and adults, the 4th of July celebration, and the daylong Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia event.
The parade has grown almost every year, becoming an event that attracts not just locals but families from outside the community as well. Business owners estimate that about 500 people took part in the parade last year. This year looks just as promising.