Halloween Walk brings 2,500 trick-or-treaters to Crystal Beach
November 2, 2026 at 4:44 AM
About 2,500 trick-or-treaters and their families poured into Crystal Beach on Saturday for the seventh annual Halloween Walk, organizer Tara Martin estimated.
The free walk depends on independent businesses along the route, which each spent almost $500 on candy this year, Martin told Fort Erie Radio.
“If it were not for the businesses, this event would not happen,” said Martin.
A young winner shows off a monster costume on the Halloween Walk’s contest stage at the Grove. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioMartin’s estimate is about 1,000 more than last year’s count of more than 1,500 costumed children, though last year’s figure counted children only. More than 40 businesses took part last fall, four times the 10 that started the walk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phil Smith, who owns Hotel Philco and South Coast Cookhouse, said he has watched the walk grow every year.
“Every year I see on Facebook, ‘We’ve got to go down to Crystal Beach,’” said Smith. “That’s what we want to ingrain in people.”
A trick-or-treater dressed as a parrot stands among costumed families at the Grove. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioFamilies competed for cash prizes in costume contests on the stage at the Grove, the park at 4055 Erie Road, where a scary clown took first place for scariest costume.
Organizers added bouncy castles at the Grove this year after bringing in a DJ and food trucks in 2025.
“The bouncy castles are a hit, obviously with the little people,” said Martin.
The Johnnocasters play grunge songs and Toy Story classics for trick-or-treaters at Utopia Lounge in Crystal Beach on Saturday. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioThe Crystal Beach Business Improvement Area (BIA) gave organizers a budget for the walk, while the Town of Fort Erie closed downtown roads for trick-or-treaters.
“I’m not sure that we could stop,” said Martin. “People would arrive on Halloween and they would expect this.”
Martin said organizers plan to hold an eighth Halloween Walk next year.
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About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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