30th annual Trick or Treat Street Oct. 27

New time: 2 to 6 p.m.

By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

GREATER RIVERVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PHOTO
The Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce’s premiere fall event, Trick or Treat Street, takes place Oct. 27 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Riverview High School.

It’s a big year for Trick or Treat Street — the 30th one — so organizers are hyped for what they hope will be the best community Halloween party yet.

Trick or Treat Street is billed as a safe place for children of all ages to have fun and share in the tradition of trick or treating. It takes some of the scary out of the spooky holiday, at least for parents.

The event is a partnership of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation and Riverview High School. It takes place on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Riverview High School at 11311 Boyette Road. Note that this is a new time.

“I have planned events like this is the past and learned to not fix that which is not broken,” said Marijean Reith, co-chair with her husband, Jerry Reith, for this year’s Trick or Treat Street. “This event has been successfully occurring annually for 30 years, so I had no intention of making any major changes. As it turns out, even though nothing was “broken,” there ended up being three major components that I did end up changing, which I truly believe will allow for a smoother execution going forward in years to come.

Trick or Treat Street dollars are out this year. This year, attendees can use their own money, which means fewer volunteers are needed, and it is less hassle for the vendors, she said. Also, instead of the chamber doing hamburgers and hot dogs, other vendors will offer them.

“This led us to also change the way the food vendors’ sponsorship for the event is handled, making things simpler for vendors and chamber staff,” Reith said. “Lastly, we have flipped the layout of the event this year to allow for better traffic flow between the trick or treating candy line and the rest of the event activities.”

This is just one of several events the chamber sponsors as a way of creating a community family. More than 100 chamber members including local businesses, churches, and organizations, come together to put on the event.

Parking is $5 per carload, and event admission is free. Wristbands for kid’s unlimited play on inflatable units will be $5. 

In addition to local businesses, Riverview High School clubs will have additional games and activities for a small fee. And don’t worry, there’s food. 

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 “Trick or Treat Street is such an awesome tradition for the Greater Riverview community. It’s so amazing to see the business community come together each year to offer families the chance to bring their kids out to trick or treat, show off their costumes and play in a safe environment,” Reith said. “It’s community spirit like this that makes me so proud to be a member of both the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce and the Riverview community.”

In addition to the kids having a great time trick or treating, those who sponsor  “boooths” have fun dressing up, decorating their boooths, distributing candy or small toys and providing many fun and free activities to the children of the Riverview community. 

The booths even have their own little competition to win awards for best booth design and decorations.

This year’s Goblins and Ghouls costume contest is sponsored by Uptown Suites. The costume contests are for kids newborn to 15 and there is another one for dogs. Contests winners and runners-up compete for great prizes for a small entry fee.

Four Paws Veterinary Hospital will sponsor the dog costume party, with proceeds benefiting Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort, Inc. (C.A.R.E.).

Pediatric Associates Tampa Bay is back this year as the event’s Jack-O-Lantern sponsor. They have become a crowd favorite with their creative boooth design and costumes. Look for Pediatric Associates at the beginning of the Candy Line and pick up your free Trick or Treat bag.

For more information, visit www.RiverviewChamber.com, or stop by the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce office located inside the CenterState Bank building at 10101 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, call 813-234-5944, or email info@riverviewchamber.com.