Rifle, Silt, and New Castle Host Halloween Trick-or-Treat Events

Rifle —A child in a homemade vampire cape stands at the edge of a closed-off street, eyes wide, waiting for the first piece of candy. Around them, the air smells like autumn leaves and anticipation. This is the Colorado River Valley, and this week, it is transforming into a trick-or-treat paradise.

The question on every neighbor’s mind is simple: where can we go, and what should we expect? The answer spans three communities — Rifle, Silt, and New Castle — each offering its own flavor of Halloween festivities from Thursday, Oct. 29, through Friday, Oct. 30.

In Rifle, the spotlight shines on the Third Street Trunk-or-Treat. The Rifle Police Department and Garfield County Libraries are teaming up once again to fill downtown with decorated trunks and “BOOths.” Last year, more than 45 businesses, nonprofits, and public safety partners joined in, turning the area into a community hub. Angela Mills, the Police Department’s Public Information Officer, noted that there is something special about seeing hundreds of kids in costume filling the street. It’s a safe way to celebrate and connect with the people who serve the community.

City Manager Patrick Waller called it one of his favorite events of the year. He recalled that when he first started, the event was much smaller, held in the city hall parking lot. Kids would parade through the building to get candy. It later moved to Brendan Theater before expanding to the entirety of Third Street. For this year, Third Street between East and West avenues, along with the 200 and 300 blocks of Railroad Avenue, will be closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors should plan ahead and use nearby public parking, such as the Brenden Theater lot, the City Plaza parking garage, or the Ute Theater and Event Center lot. No registration or fee is required, so families are encouraged to dress in their Halloween best and bring candy buckets.

Over in Silt, the annual Main Street Trick or Treat and Family Fall Festival kicks off at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Highway 6 will be closed between Seventh and Ninth streets, allowing local businesses to hand out candy directly to children. Andrew Meador, co-owner of Wild Coffee Roasters, said his shop will be open until six p.m. for the whole event. He explained that jumping in is important to give young kids an opportunity to dress up and have fun, providing a space for them to be kids. The Sonlight Foursquare Church will also be involved, providing food, candy, bounce houses, and a petting zoo to keep the energy high.

Finally, New Castle rounds out the weekend with its Trick or Treat event from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday. Families will start at the Plaza and Alpine Bank before making their way down Main Street. It’s a straightforward route designed for easy navigation, ensuring that even the youngest participants can stay on track without getting lost in the excitement.

As the sun sets on Friday evening, the streets will quiet down, leaving behind only the remnants of confetti and the sweet taste of shared joy. The costumes will be packed away, but the memory of those hours spent together will linger. It’s not just about the candy; it’s about the connection. In a valley that often feels spread thin, these moments pull us back together, reminding us that despite the miles between our homes, we are all part of the same neighborhood. So grab your bucket, check your costume, and head out. The valley is waiting.