Kent Main Street held it’s 7th annual Trick or Treat, a great time for kids to satisfy their sweet tooths, but also a time for downtown shops to display themselves. Tyler Trill has more

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Acorn Alley’s noise level rose above regular levels Friday.

Kent Main Street hosted its seventh annual Family Friendly Trick or Treat event. Thirty four businesses participated, handing out treats to the local children dressed as their favorite superheroes and princesses.

Heather Malarcik, Executive Director at Main Street Kent, said it is an ever growing event.

“Businesses usually run out of candy, and end up with disappointed people. We’ve told the businesses to plan up to 1,000 trick-or-treaters.”

Malarcik said it is not just a great community event, but also a chance for the local businesses to generate exposure.

“The businesses like to be apart of a community event like this. It gives them a little exposure, because the parents are going around with the kids so that gives them an opportunity to get in the faces of the parents.”

Local shops take this chance to hand out samples of products they make.

“Some of the businesses actually hand things out to the parents,” Malarcik said, “such as things that entice them to come in for holiday shopping. So it is definitely a good opportunity.”

Gwen Rosenberg, owener of Popped, handed out popcorn treats to trick-or-treaters this year.

Rosenberg said it is a good time for the business and, more importantly, the community

“It is a big deal for them, for them to have an opportunity to come downtown at night and walk around and go to the different businesses, maybe they have not been there before, maybe their parents have not been in before. It is a mutually beneficial kind of arraignment.”

Karey Christie, manager at Fashion School Store, said trick or treat displays business that may have less exposes locations.

“We’re only two years old,” Christie said. “A lot of people do not know we’re tucked up here in the corner of Acorn Alley, so anything to get people walking through the store helps business.”

In addition to handing out candy around the business, Main Street Kent held a “Best Costume” competition, children participated in face painting and arts and crafts.