Fairy-Tale Fun Lights Up Alachua’s Trick-Or-Treat On Main Street

ALACHUA ‒ Main Street shimmered with fairy-tale magic and Halloween glow Friday evening as families packed into downtown Alachua for the city’s annual “Trick or Treat on Main” celebration. From princess tiaras to superhero capes and tiny pumpkins toddling beside parents, the event delivered a festive and safe Halloween night for the community.

Hosted by the Alachua Chamber of Commerce with support from the City of Alachua, local businesses and civic groups, the event once again turned the historic downtown district into a pedestrian-only corridor filled with treats, themed displays and festive photo stops. The celebration ran from 5:30 to 8 p.m., giving families time to explore, gather candy and enjoy the Halloween atmosphere before heading off to neighborhood trick-or-treating or home for the night.

This year, Main Street took on the classic charm of “Snow White” for the annual Scarecrow Row, a highlight that has become a signature element of the celebration. Businesses and organizations lined the street with handcrafted scarecrows and scenes inspired by the beloved fairy tale. Guests wandered past depictions of Snow White, forest-dwelling dwarfs, enchanted mirrors, and apples both sweet and sinister.

The competition brought out big creativity from local participants. The Mustard Seed claimed first place, Boukari Law / Alachua County Today placed second, and Sysco earned third for its imaginative display. Judges praised the entries for their craftsmanship and playful spirit, adding cinematic flair to the evening.

Children darted from storefront to storefront, collecting candy while parents snapped photos amid twinkling lights and costumed characters. The Snow White’s Cottage photo booth proved popular, offering families a cozy spot to pose among woodland-themed décor, complete with peek-through cottage windows and friendly animal characters perched along the sills.

Organizers credited strong support from corporate participants and local merchants who decorated, handed out candy and kept the festive energy high. “A heartfelt thank-you to all the businesses who participated and handed out candy. Your support made this event such a memorable experience for the kids (and adults!) who came out to celebrate,” the Alachua Chamber of Commerce shared in a statement.

Parking lots near downtown filled quickly, with many families arriving early to beat the crowd. Alachua Police officers were stationed throughout the event to ensure a smooth and safe evening for all attendees.

As crowds trickled away under streetlights and the last of the candy buckets emptied, children clutched glow sticks and candy bags, and parents pushed strollers past the final displays. Once again, “Trick or Treat on Main” offered a community-centered way to celebrate Halloween—fun, festive and filled with small-town magic.

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