Trick-or-treaters take over Union and State streets Saturday

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

All kinds of costumed kids took over North Union Street in Olean on Saturday as the Shops on Union hosted its annual trick-or-treat and costume judging event.

Hundreds of kids dressed as their favorite character and their parents visited 17 participating shops along North Union Street and another five along East and West State streets from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The trick-or-treaters walked the streets with their parents under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-to-upper 50s.

Participating stores displayed a poster and several, including Green Acres Cafe and Interfaith Caregivers gave away candy and other items outside on the sidewalk.

Ward 4 Alderwoman Sonya McCall, whose district includes the downtown area, helped promote the Shops on Union’s trick-or-treat event. 

Wearing an aqua-blue dress and blond wig, she portrayed Elsa from the Disney movie Frozen and set up a table outside the Kaleidoscope store with candy, small items and books to hand out to trick-or-treaters.

The Shops on Union event is designed to bring more people downtown. Judging from the looks of the costume-filled street on Saturday, it worked.

The participating North Union Street shops included:

Kaleidoscope, Christie’s Boutique, Two Sweet Desserts, Green Acres Cafe, Olean’s Wellness Store, Skin Deep, Color It Creative, Been n’ Barrel, For Crafts Sake, Jupiter Cafe, Ray’s, A Cut Above, The Paper Factory, The Eatery, Union Whiskey, Beat City Music, ASAP, and the Olean Farmer’s Market in Lincoln Park.

Also, Jason Clemons Salon on East State Street and Tri-County Arts Council, Rocket Cup Coffee, Mandy’s Flowers and Grand Slam Games and Comics on West State Street joined the Shops on Union as participating sponsors.

Costume judging was held at 1:30 outside the Municipal Building closest to North Union Street.