Downtown Trick or Treat Business/Organization Participation

Join us for a safe, fun, and family-friendly Halloween tradition in the heart of Mt. Vernon!

Local businesses, organizations, nonprofits, clubs, churches, and community groups are invited to participate in Downtown Mt. Vernon Trick or Treat by welcoming costumed children and families with candy and treats along the downtown route.

Whether you participate from your downtown storefront or set up a booth space, this is a great opportunity to connect with local families, promote your business or organization, and help create a memorable Halloween experience for our community.

Participants are encouraged to get into the Halloween spirit! Decorate your storefront or booth, dress in costume, and make your space fun and welcoming for trick-or-treaters. Please plan to bring plenty of individually wrapped candy or treats to distribute throughout the event.

• There is no better way to celebrate Halloween than seeing Downtown Mt. Vernon filled with little ghosts, goblins, princesses, superheroes, and more. We hope you'll join us and help make Downtown Trick or Treat a fun and safe tradition for families throughout our community!

By submitting this application, participants acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions:

Event Date & Time
Downtown Mt. Vernon Trick or Treat will take place Wednesday, October 21, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Participants must be completely set up and ready to welcome trick-or-treaters no later than 4:45 p.m. Participants are expected to remain set up for the duration of the event and should not begin teardown before 7:00 p.m.

Eligibility & Approval
Participation is open to businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches, clubs, civic groups, and other community organizations.

All applications are subject to approval by the Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Corporation (DMDC). Submission of an application does not guarantee participation or a specific booth location.

Treats & Giveaways

• Participants are responsible for providing their own candy, treats, or giveaway items and should plan for a large number of trick-or-treaters.
• Non-food giveaways such as stickers, pencils, small toys, promotional items, and similar items are welcome, provided they are age-appropriate and safe for children.
• Participants who run out of treats before the event concludes are encouraged to remain at their location to greet families through 7:00 p.m.

Booths & Setup

• Downtown businesses may distribute treats from their storefronts. Participating organizations without a downtown location will be assigned a space by event organizers.You may request your preferred location. 
• All tables, displays, decorations, signs, and other materials must remain within the participant's assigned area and may not obstruct sidewalks, streets, entrances, fire lanes, or pedestrian traffic.
• Unless otherwise stated by event organizers, participants are responsible for providing their own tables, chairs, decorations, extension cords, lighting, and other supplies needed for their setup.
• Booth spaces may not be transferred or shared with another organization without prior approval.

Decorations & Costumes

• Participants are encouraged to decorate their storefront or booth and dress in costume to help create a fun Halloween atmosphere.
• Because this is a family-focused event, costumes, decorations, displays, and activities must be appropriate for children. Excessive gore, realistic weapons, frightening displays intended primarily to scare young children, or other content deemed inappropriate by event organizers will not be permitted.
• Event organizers reserve the right to require the removal or modification of any display, decoration, activity, or item considered unsafe or inappropriate for the event.

Promotion & Solicitation
Participants are welcome to provide information or promotional materials about their business or organization along with treats. However, aggressive solicitation, sales activities, political campaigning, or activities unrelated to the family-friendly purpose of the event are not permitted without prior approval from DMDC.

• Safety & Conduct
  Participants are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner toward attendees, volunteers, downtown businesses, and other participants.
• Participants are responsible for maintaining a clean and safe area throughout the event and for removing all decorations, trash, and materials at the conclusion of the event.
• Children accompanying a participating organization must be appropriately supervised.

Liability & Responsibility
Participants are responsible for their own property, equipment, displays, giveaways, employees, volunteers, and activities.

To the extent permitted by law, participants agree that the Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Corporation, City of Mt. Vernon, their officers, employees, volunteers, and event organizers are not responsible for loss, theft, property damage, personal injury, or other claims arising from participation in the event, except as otherwise provided by law.

Participants are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, ordinances, and safety requirements.

Weather & Event Changes
Downtown Mt. Vernon Trick or Treat is planned as a rain-or-shine event. However, DMDC reserves the right to delay, modify, relocate, or cancel the event if weather conditions, emergencies, safety concerns, or other circumstances make it necessary.

Participants will be notified of significant changes or cancellation using the contact information provided on their application.

Photography & Video
By participating in Downtown Mt. Vernon Trick or Treat, participants acknowledge that photographs and video may be taken during the event. Participants grant DMDC and its event partners permission to use event photographs or video that may include their booth, organization, representatives, or display for promotional, informational, and archival purposes.

Agreement
By submitting this application, the applicant confirms that they have read, understand, and agree to these Terms & Conditions and are authorized to register the participating business or organization.