Ephrata Has an Assortment of Opportunities for Halloween Fun

Downtown Ephrata will be bustling with families and children disguised as witches and ghouls next Thursday due to a variety of Halloween events being hosted. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this free festival that will have ample opportunities for spooky fun.

"The Chamber of Commerce, which is mostly our local businesses, are displaying just massive generosity, spending a lot of money on candy," said Wes Crago, city administrator. "Some of the businesses are spending over $350 and some $450 just to hand out candy, to let kids have a nice, safe, fun place to go from business to business."

There will be several parking lots in the downtown core where kids can wander for Trunk or Treat and each hosted by a variety of local entities such as the American Legion, Ephrata Eagles and United Methodist Church. The Columbia Basin Hospital will also be offering free x-rays of candy that evening from 5-8.

"Our high school is also doing trick or treat inside the high school so kids can kind of see a little bit of the inside the high school they'll probably end up going to at some point," said Crago. "And meet teachers, see people and just have a good time."

The city of Ephrata cautions folks to be alert as both foot and regular traffic will be congested.

"We just ask all the drivers to drive slowly and to really expect children to be darting out from hidden spaces or between cars. And we ask all the citizens, that if you're out on the trick or treat, in a costume, to have lights on it when you're in a neighborhood and to walk very carefully, very alertly," said Crago.

More tips are on the city's Facebook page and the Ephrata website.