Octobers in North Dakota usher in burnt and dazzling colored sunsets, crisp winds, and the anticipation (or dread) of the long winter ahead; but on the other hand, October also brings along something much more mouth watering too: slews of colored CANDY in all shapes and sizes!

It’s Halloween time, and while that means, ghosts, witches and everything creepy to some; to the littlest of kiddos, it really just means those delicious, joyous moments when they get to eat as much candy as they want (or as much as their parents allow). Adults would be hard pressed to parallel the same level of joy in their lives as a small piece of candy offers a toddler or preschooler.

It was this very reason that inspired the Minot Downtown Treat Trail, this year taking place on Friday, October 27, 10am – 12pm. Margie Bolton, business owner of Margie’s Art Glass Studio, explained that the tradition of the Treat Trail has been going on every year since long before she opened her doors in 2004. The Downtown Treat Trail is specifically set during school hours as it is primarily geared to those little ones ages 1-5 and their parents.

Margie explained that she and other downtown businesses wanted a way to connect with littles and their parents specifically and show them all the things Minot Downtown offers, especially for the constantly rotating base families how much the city of Minot really cares about them. The Treat Trail is just one of the many ways that the City of Minot uses its historic Downtown scene to connect the locals of the community with Air Force members and their families.

During the Treat Trail, kids dressed as princesses, Pokemon, or whatever their heart’s desire, can visit many of the downtown stores and receive a smile and of course a candy treat at each one too. Margie mentioned that this is one of the busiest events the Downtown has all year, with sometimes seeing up to 500 kids participate.

There are about 30 shops and stores in Minot Downtown this year who are participating in the event. As with most things in this quaint city, there should be plenty of parking around downtown or in the parking garages and although there is room for everyone. So come experience the small-town joy of Minot Downtown and bring your small kids to the Downtown Treat Trail on October 27th!