Lansdale’s favorite drag queen has announced she will be hosting an early-Halloween Main Street Candy Crawl on Saturday afternoon, with nearly two dozen local businesses participating.
“Halloween was a bit of a bust last year. We were in a pandemic, and there was no clear sign of a vaccine or end in sight,” said 35-year-old Eric Torres, of Lansdale, who assumes the role of “Miss Annie” or “Annie Christ” while in drag. “I only had two trick-or-treaters last year, so I wanted to create an event for the kids so they didn't have to miss out again this year.”
The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on West Main Street. Participants are encouraged to arrive in costume, where they can then visit participating businesses for some early candy and treats.
Torres said local businesses have been receptive to the event, describing the participation as “phenomenal.”
“I reached out to my local ‘go-to’ businesses first, just to kick around the idea,” Torres said. “When they all said it was a great idea, I made a Facebook event page. Within a week, I had so many businesses reaching out to be a part of it.”
Participating businesses for Saturday’s event include:
For a map of the locations, click here.
“I wanted to start something that's safe for the kids and easy for parents to celebrate. They know where the candy is coming from, and they don't have to walk miles not knowing which houses will have candy that year,” said Torres. “It's guaranteed candy, and the locals get a chance to walk into businesses they may not have previously and meet the owners. It benefits everyone in the community.”
For Torres, Saturday’s event is one in a long line of free community events he has organized over the last few years. In February 2019, Torres gained international notoriety when he — in drag as “Miss Annie” — held a Drag Queen Story Time event at the Lansdale Library. The event drew out approximately two dozen protestors, as well as more than 100 supporters who surrounded the library in what they described as a “wall of love.”
In the years since, Torres has organized or participated in a variety of other local events, from Pride Walks to a supply drive at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Saturday? Saturday is about returning to the basics.
“Halloween has always been very important to me. It's the ‘last call’ of care-free holidays — right before the winter's cold, before the stress and busyness of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New year, etc. The last holiday we can be silly or scary and be a child again,” said Torres.
Trick or Treating in Lansdale Borough
Regarding the actual date for Trick or Treating in Lansdale Borough, Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert said the borough does not officially sanction a day or time for the event. He added, however, that the borough expects trick or treating to be held on Sunday, Oct. 31.
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