Nonprofits get into the Halloween trick-or-treat action on Main Street
by Stephanie Ogilvie
Once again, Ramona’s annual Merchants Safe Trick or Treat on Main Street brought families, businesses and community groups together for a festive Halloween celebration.
Trick or treaters with creative costumes and merchants with generous candy giveaways stretched from 5th Street to Ramona Street during the event, organized by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce.
The event began in 1997 under the direction of Stephanie Norvell, Jim Piva, Laurie Eakes and Julie Walker, all Chamber members.
The Knights of Columbus have participated in the Merchants Safe Trick-or-Treat on Main Street since it began in 1997. Last year, they handed out over 6,000 pieces of candy, and this year they planned for more than 7,500 pieces. Pictured from left are Manny Cervantes, Albert Austin, Rick Vaca, German Ramirez and Gary Paun. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
Zombie baseball players Kane and Damien Olivares of Ramona, who play for Ramona Pony Baseball, show off their matching Halloween costumes made by their mom, Jonelle Olivares. Dad, Gabriel Olivares, is also pictured. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
The “Nightmare Before Christmas”-themed 6th and Main Salon handed out more than 10 Costco bags of candy during this year’s Merchants Safe Trick-or-Treat on Main Street. Pictured are trick or treaters Rhyven Kaelin (Enderman from Minecraft) and Nolan Austin (Plague Doctor), along with salon staff — May Rowles as Oogie Boogie, Andrea Proctor as Lock, Lindsi Mallinson as Barrel, Whitney White as Jack Skellington, and owner Victoria Stanley as Sally. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
High school students Parker Petersen and Shelby Herald dressed up as matching Stitch characters and trick-or-treated down Main Street, stopping by the Guy B. Woodward Museum, where local nonprofit organizations were passing out candy. They are pictured with Ramona Women’s Club members Jean Scholdfield, Betty Shaw, Darlene McNeal, Karen Boyd, and Marlene Dimich. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
Chloe Kirkman (Cat in the Hat) and her brother Brayden Kirkman (Squid Games triangle guard) of Ramona have been Trick or Treating on Main Street for 12 years. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
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The Knights of Columbus have participated in the Merchants Safe Trick-or-Treat on Main Street since it began in 1997. Last year, they handed out over 6,000 pieces of candy, and this year they planned for more than 7,500 pieces. Pictured from left are Manny Cervantes, Albert Austin, Rick Vaca, German Ramirez and Gary Paun. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
A new addition this year brought even more excitement as nonprofit organizations, organized by Leslie Delaney, welcomed families to the Guy B. Woodward Museum for treats.
“We wanted to open the museum up to other nonprofits for Main Street trick-or-treating because the museum is for Ramona, and we want it to be used by the community whenever possible,” said Delaney, the museum’s curator. “There are so many nonprofits that don’t have Main Street locations, and we wanted to be sure they had the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful community event.”
Middle schoolers Ryder Collins, Frankie Filippone, Michael Marrow and Nino Filippone trick or treat down Main Street in their TikTok-inspired “Steezoween” costumes. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
Stephanie Norvell, one of the original creators of the Merchants Safe Trick-or-Treat on Main Street and owner of Town and Country Real Estate and Home Loans, hands out treats to trick-or-treaters on Main Street alongside her friend Michelle Ashbarry and her 5-month-old puppy, Charlie Kirk. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
The Oros Family of Ramona started their Halloween evening by attending the Ramona Chamber of Commerce Merchants Safe Trick-or-Treat on Main Street. The family has been trick or treating on Main for nine years. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
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Middle schoolers Ryder Collins, Frankie Filippone, Michael Marrow and Nino Filippone trick or treat down Main Street in their TikTok-inspired “Steezoween” costumes. (Stephanie Ogilvie)
