More than 1,000 kids climb aboard Bridgeburg’s biggest Truck or Treat

More than 1,000 costumed children climbed into fire trucks and construction equipment on Jarvis Street on Saturday, the biggest turnout yet for Bridgeburg’s seventh annual Truck or Treat, the local BIA said.

The Halloween tradition sends kids door to door collecting candy from Jarvis Street businesses, part of the Bridgeburg BIA’s push to bring more shoppers to Fort Erie’s north-end downtown.

Bridgeburg BIA chair Vince Salvatori told Fort Erie Radio the event beat last year’s turnout of about 800 to 900 children because more businesses took part.

“The more businesses that participate, the more success and enjoyment there is for all the kids,” said Salvatori, owner of Fate Salon on Jarvis Street.

Shoppers will see a beautified Jarvis Street next spring under a plan BIA members worked on with the Town of Fort Erie, Salvatori said. The BIA also wants to bring more customers to Jarvis Street shops by marketing the street’s Niagara River setting to visitors from outside Fort Erie.

“We want to attract new businesses as well and support businesses. That’s our biggest focus right now,” said Salvatori.

Darren Peters, owner of Peters Construction, said his company brings different equipment every year, including newly bought machines, so the lineup changes for families who return. Parents thank him every year for giving their kids a chance to get close to the equipment, he said.

“We bring the equipment back to the yard and get it all cleaned up, looking like new, because all this equipment is used throughout the year,” said Peters.

Peters invited Metro Collision, which tows his company’s broken-down trucks, to join Truck or Treat for the first time this year. Metro Collision’s display gave children another set of trucks to explore.

“Next year they want to do a little bit more,” said Peters.

Waffle Bandits owner Miruna Beti, who organized last year’s Truck or Treat, held the Fading Light Festival, a separate two-night event for adults this weekend. Beti booked live music for both nights and arranged for a medium to walk Jarvis Street giving readings.

“We didn’t want to do cheesy Halloween,” said Beti.

The BIA’s next event is the Fort Erie Santa Claus Parade, which brought thousands to the north end last year. Salvatori said this year’s parade will add more bands and marching bands, paid for by public donations and support from the town.

“The attendance has been off the charts, and more people want to donate, which means we can put more into it,” said Salvatori.

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