The History of Anoka Halloween Capital of the World®

Anoka, Minnesota is believed to be the first city in the United States to put on a Halloween celebration to divert its youngsters from Halloween pranks. When Anokans awoke to find their cows roaming Main Street, windows soaped and outhouses tipped over, they decided something had to be done. But what?

A costume parade and block party seemed like the perfect, trick! Halloween became a wonderful distraction for our town for generations to come, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. The crisp of the season, the creativity of the shops, the schools, the costumes, the laughter, the food, the fun, and the parties! There are so many reasons to love the month of October, and baby, we count those blessings every day around here!

The Timeline

  • 1920

    Getting Organized

    In 1920, George Green and other Anoka civic leaders suggested the idea of a giant celebration. The idea was adopted by the Anoka Commercial Club and the Anoka Kiwanis Club; both giving their full support. In September of that year, a Halloween committee was organized.

    Working hand in hand were businessmen, teachers from the Anoka public and parochial schools, parents, and students. For weeks before the big event, more than a thousand Anoka school children made plans and costumes for the big event.

  • 1920

    Taking It Down Main Street

    A parade was scheduled for the evening. Participants included local and neighboring bands, drum corps, the Anoka police, and fire departments, the Kiwanis Club, the Commercial Club, and the Anoka National Guard; all working together to make the evening a success. Afterward, hundreds of bags of popcorn, candy, peanuts, and other treats were given away to the children who marched in the parade. And, everyone was invited to a large bonfire that was staged at Bridge Square. Celebrations have been held every year since 1920 with the exception of 1942 and 1943 when the festivities were canceled because of World War II.

  • 1937

    Taking It To The Capital

    By the 1930s, the festivities had expanded as had the attendance at the parades. There were over 2,000 costumed children marching down Main Street. It was estimated that 20,000 spectators lined the streets to watch this night-time spectacle. In 1937, 12-year-old, Harold Blair, donning a sweater embellished with a Halloween Capital insignia, carried with him to Washington, D.C. a proclamation naming Anoka Halloween Capital of the World®.

  • 1960

    Ever-Evolving Celebration

    Anoka has always worked to keep a family spirit alive in its Halloween festivities. Activities have included pillow fights, a kangaroo court, fireworks displays, royalty coronations, concerts, dances, window painting contests, house decorating contests, celebrity appearances, costume contests, style shows, story-telling, races and, in the 1960s, a snake dance that took long lines of participants in and out of area businesses and homes.

  • 1968

    Miss Anoka Joins The Party

    1968 marked the first year that Miss Anoka joined in on Anoka Halloween Capital of the World® festivities. Learn More

  • 1970

    Winners Of The Dating Game

    The winners of the TV game show, The Dating Game, were awarded with a trip to Anoka to ride in the Halloween parade!

  • Today

    The Tradition Lives On

    Anoka Halloween Capital of the World® celebration continues to be world-class. Participation in the night parade and Grande Day parade has grown to include units from all over the midwest. The original concept of having costumed students parade down Main Street continues on as well on Friday preceding the Grande Day parade. Anoka residents can watch their grandchildren or great-grandchildren continue the tradition they started so many years ago.

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