Photos: West Seattle Junction trick-or-treating

| Holidays | Seen around town | West Seattle news

Yes, by the time 3 o’clock approached, it was all too much for that West Seattle Junction trick-or-treating munchkin. But in the preceding two hours, such excitement:

That’s the view looking over the Thrill the World dance encore toward the adoring crowd on the southwest corner of the Walk-All-Ways intersection. (See video of their Occidental Park “official” performance here; they’re at Admiral Theater tonight at 9.) Earlier at that same intersection:

All along the streets of The Junction, businesspeople were waiting to hand out treats. Any guesses who this is?

That’s Dawn Leverett, president of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board – for today, the Cham-BOO! of Commerce – outside Windermere Real Estate. We also found potentially shadowy characters outside Shadow Land:

Here’s who greeted trick-or-treaters at Zamboanga:

Back at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), Thrill the World-West Seattle organizer Lora Lewis was still in zombie garb, attacking her “Project Runway” star barista Blayne:

As for the West Seattle citizenry, a little cooking humor for Chris and Steve (with baby Owen):

Having been to a few conferences lately, we could appreciate the costume on the left side of this pic:

The Junction event was the first of three business-district trick-or-treating events this Halloween season. The other two are on Halloween, next Friday — the Admiral merchants welcome you 3 to 6 pm (see the WSB Holidays page for full details on the giveaway that’s involved) and Westwood Village 5-7 pm. Here’s hoping Friday has weather like today’s … like these two from Forsythe Studio, the sunshine was truly, well, groovy:

‘Cause if Halloween isn’t nice too, there will be just one thing to say: D’oh!

With that, we bid you adios:

(That photo is courtesy Meredith; all previous photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick and Junior Member of the Team Torin)

Jo October 25, 2008 (5:52 pm)

Watching the trick-or-treaters at the Junction is such fun.
As I was waiting for a bus, smiling at a group of tiny ‘fairy/ballerinas,” a woman, trailed by two HUGE pre-teens dressed in black from head to toe (Darth Vader and Grim Reaper), looked at me and remarked ruefully, “I wanted a girl.”
Hilarious.
The kids love it when you comment on their costumes.

Oliver October 25, 2008 (7:23 pm)

Our PEPs group has made trick or treating at the junction an annual tradition since 2005. I have two suggestions for the organizers (in case they’re reading):

1. 1-3 is usually nap time for younger kids. So, the kids end up over-tired and prone to melt-downs. 10-12 or 3-5 would be nice and would put more people in the junction either at lunch or dinner (good for the local restaraunts).

2. Is there anyway they can shut down traffic on the two block of California during the event. There’s so many kids spilling into the streets.

Otherwise, thanks to the junction businesses for sponsoring a great event that our family enjoys every year.

Irukandji October 25, 2008 (8:05 pm)

Wouldn’t hurt, too, to suggest that the flow of TorT traffic go either clockwise or counterclockwise through the heart of the junction.
.
Congestion, poor navigating skills of toddlers, strollers, poor visibility when in costumes, etc., it seems odd to me, in my petty neurosis, that this wouldn’t just be natural.

Lou October 25, 2008 (8:26 pm)

What a fun day…our boys loved it. And yes, I agree with Oliver – can we possibly get this moved earlier or later and close the street? thanks

WSB October 25, 2008 (9:22 pm)

The “close the street” suggestion has come up in previous years – and it came up in conversation while I was talking with Junction Association executive director Susan Melrose about something else a few days ago. Doesn’t mean they couldn’t and wouldn’t do it someday — but one big barrier is the cost. A lot of permits and personnel required for street shutdowns. The car show last month was added this year to the list of annual events for which the street is closed (which includes Summer Fest and the Grand Parade) – TR

Luckie October 25, 2008 (11:46 pm)

I’ve been loving this annual event since before I had kids. Thanks to all participating Junction merchants. We had a great time today!

Belvidere Neighbor October 26, 2008 (8:13 am)

I want to extend my family’s appreciation as well – we’ve made trick or treating in the Junction a tradition for the last three years – we celebrate my daughter’s birthday with my extended family by taking a stroll down California. I am always amazed by the number of folks who participate and that the businesses continue to give back to our community in this way. I know that such events give me an extra incentive to “shop local,” especially in these interesting financial times that we live in.

Gina October 26, 2008 (8:40 am)

Call me an old party pooper–if a child is young enough to need a nap, they are too young to trick-or-treat!

I feel sorry for the wee ones caught in the crush of the day, seems to me like the children don’t really enjoy these type of events until they are about 5. If the wee ones are with older siblings or friends they enjoy it more.

If there is a single 6 month old in a stroller, with a gaggle of accompanying adults, insisting that Baby Boopsie, asleep in the little outfit, or red faced and screaming, musn’t miss out on a single piece of candy–wouldn’t Boopsie enjoy a walk in the park more? And the adults could buy a bag of candy at the store to share with each other.

Though I do suspect that some people take their kids to gather candy, and then give the same candy out to trick-or-treaters on Halloween as a frugal cost cutting measure!

Sure is nice for the Junction to put on this event. Imagine the expense if the street were closed, and how many out of area people would flock to West Seattle, never returning until the next free candy handout. Doesn’t seem as if there would be a good return on it.

A million dollars in liability insurance?

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/stuse_special.htm

changingtimes October 26, 2008 (8:57 am)

omg! i think the streets should be closed for sure!! as the zombies were doing there dance on the corner there was like 500 people trying to crowd in to watch….on both sides of the street and the light was red and the cars were like coming within inches of the little kids and to the person i saw who got there family on the curb good for you!…but who leaves the family dog in the street to almost get flattened by the bus that came by!!!

Oliver October 26, 2008 (9:21 am)

Gina, I’m sorry that you’ve never experienced the excitement of a three year old’s anticipation of trick or treating and wearing his chosen costume and I’m sorry you’ve never experienced the delight of a three year old who is fascinated by the whole experience.

Brandon October 26, 2008 (11:38 am)

I’m sorry to Gina. It’s quite apparent you have not become a parent yourself and so your “voice of reasoning” is without merit. Insurance doesn’t cost $1 million dollars, only a hundred bucks or so; we rented the Alki Beach house under those conditions and our insurance agent arranged all of it quite inexpensively. As for the street traffic, how about banning street parking during those three hours (1/2 before and after) on that stretch of California? It would be cheaper than closing the whole street down, and wouldn’t require as much enforcement. The sidewalks are getting very crowed and we don’t need a tragedy with a child before we come to grips with safety. This event is growing each year as more young families move into the area, so I can only see it being more important that crowd and auto controls move in. BTW, sorry to all the child-haters out there…resteraunts, supermarkets, parks, halloween. But the families are moving to WS and they aren’t moving anytime soon. :)

WSB October 26, 2008 (11:48 am)

Reminder, it is OK under our rules to criticize/discuss an idea, but leave personal criticism of (or speculation about) the person who OFFERS the comment out of it. Being a parent does not automatically make a person in favor of all-access, all the time, to all ages, and I will speak from personal experience. Personally, I wish fewer places were 21-up because I happen to have an extremely mature 12-year-old who is bummed he can’t try Talarico’s pizza, for example, among other places he can’t go – but business owners have the right to decide whether they’re running an all-ages establishment or not, so we get over it. OTOH, he never cared about trick-or-treating except for one year (I think he was 6), so we haven’t ever participated in the ever-growing Junction event (except, these past couple years, to take photos for WSB).
Also, in addition to posting here, the Junction Association’s contact info is available online, and you can certainly send a note to formally ask a change in the plan for future years, or talk to one of your favorite merchants next time you’re down there shopping.

Brandon October 26, 2008 (12:05 pm)

>>Though I do suspect that some people take their kids to gather candy, and then give the same candy out to trick-or-treaters on Halloween as a frugal cost cutting measure!<<

Really??

Gina October 26, 2008 (12:52 pm)

I have seen many PARENTS excited about trick or treating at the big mall, or shopping area. A toddler or under aged child doesn’t know about trick or treating unless they are told about it. The little, little kids are interested for maybe the first two or three trick or treats. Then they are ready to go home. How much fun is it to be surrounded by giants and not see anything. Mashed in a crowd of legs, strangers poking at you.

And I have seen sobbing toddlers begging to be taken out of their costumes, parents forcing the child to continue

I took the insurance amount from the link from the city.

And where would people park if street was closed? I am sure all the Junction lots were full.

I have 18 nieces and nephews, so I may have seen one or two tikes in my day! And the screaming meltdowns from the forced march to show off the “really cute costumes.”

A six month old benefits from trick-or-treating?

The children might enjoy a “Halloween Kiddie Parade”, much like the North Admiral 4th of July parade, with merchants setting up tables at the end of the parade to hand out treats. Plenty of room for all. Bystanders could enjoy the creativity of the children’s costumes.

I am not talking about Halloween house to house trick or treating, only the various shopping area trick or treat mad dashes with smothering crowds!

I don’t go anywhere near the Junction on the trick or treat day. Kids aren’t the problem. The children are cute. The dogs aren’t the problem. The dogs are cute. There are a few parents though…

indaknow October 26, 2008 (4:24 pm)

Both of my children went to trick-or-treating in the junction for the first ten years of their lives (yes, even when they couldn’t walk). It is because of the generosity of the junction businesses that this event even happens and I believe it would be too much to expect or ask them to do anything that would limit their business transactions even more (like close the street or hold it during even busier store hours). I did note that the last few years we went there were more and more adults and dogs as well as children, and the whole event seemed to take on more of a “party for the parents” feel. Not saying this is bad, just that I don’t think it should be the junction merchants problem to “fix it”. The crowds are definitely not for everyone, but then it isn’t mandatory, just like the Christmas ship at Alki and Lincoln Park Easter egg hunt.

Brandon October 26, 2008 (5:35 pm)

Well, let’s cancel Christmas too while we are at it, since the little buggers can’t appreciate the wrapping paper, the decorations on the tree, or for that matter, that stinky old man in the white beard. Bah Humbug! Easter and fireworks at the Fourth may as well go too since its just for the parents benefit.
Are there any bubbles available in WS?

Gina October 26, 2008 (6:35 pm)

I am curious how concern for toddlers being trampled becomes ““voice of reasoning” is without merit”.

Anyone see the article about Green Halloween in the Seattle Times Pacific Northwest magazine today? Concerned parents compost candy gathered by their children while trick or treating.

Pumpkin patch visits, fun for the little ones. Watching people dressed as ghoulies dancing to Thriller? Fun for the school age child, not so much for the little ones.

Every parent is free to choose the activity they want for their child.

I just wanted to point out that not every child/toddler/infant enjoys these kind of events, and there are parents that belittle the fear of their child, or ignore it or punish them for it. And I have seen parents do so.

If a child thrives on these kind of events, good for them!

If they are timid, or not enjoying the event, or in tears, maybe next year would be a better time.

I better ‘fess up that I took a great nephew to the Admiral Merchants trick or treat a year or two back. The great nephew was a sturdy boy, played soccer and basketball. He was knocked over by strollers, run into by strollers, we were both pushed about and separated by strollers, elbowed by the stroller pushers. We covered half a block, and he asked to go back to my house, and I was glad to oblige. He went on to a Halloween party and regular Trick or Treat that evening.

The newer strollers I have seen are much less wieldy. They are egg shaped and give the kid a better view. Those double jogging strollers? Good grief! Pushing those things is like pushing a Volkswagen!

Okay. Tell me how much of a hater I am.

Edith October 26, 2008 (7:02 pm)

I second the flow of traffic comment…if you are heading down with the businesses on the right then you don’t have to cut across all the kids to get to the business.

GenHillOne October 27, 2008 (8:22 am)

Leaving the choice to parents on whether toddlers will enjoy themselves…I do think because of the volume, it is perfectly reasonable to ask that people not bring strollers or dogs. My personal opinion is that if the child needs a stroller, this probably isn’t a good fit, but in the big picture, it’s just too crowded on the sidewalk.

THANK YOU to the merchants who keep this tradition going. I know that it is a net loss for business that afternoon, but have already made a couple extra purchases to do my part ;)

Brandon October 27, 2008 (4:24 pm)

For $50 or so bucks in candy, how else can you get that kind of foot traffic past your door? I took every coupon and intend to come back and support the local businesses…some of which I have learned more about by attending this types of events. Hurray for them!

Shellie October 27, 2008 (8:29 pm)

We have a one year old who was in a stroller and did fall asleep. But we were also with our 3-1/2 year old, who loved every minute–not just for the candy, but to look for his friends from PEPS and preschool, and to check out all the costumes. Yes, our daughter missed her regular nap, but she also loved looking at all the people before she fell asleep. And napping a stroller one day to enjoy a community event is not a big deal. The feeling of community that comes from events such as this is why we love West Seattle. We have gone to the Junction trick-or-treating every year, and have always had fun. Friends from other neighborhoods say they wish their communities did as many great kid-friendly events as West Seattle does.

Sorry, comment time is over.