LISBON — The Oct. 31st event will take place between 5-7pm, and the two main blocks of downtown Lisbon will be shut down for the celebration.
“It’s pretty much just a big community night where kids have more of a safer environment to come to,” said Drayton Kamberling, Lisbon Parks and Recreation director. “Every year I have a group that works specifically with this event. I also have a group from Lisbon School that comes down and helps out with setting up and running games.”
If individuals or businesses still want to get involved with the event, they can reach out to staff at the Lisbon City Hall.
“We’re always open to more volunteers for the event, but as of right now, I feel like we’re in a pretty good spot to run the event successfully,” Kamberling said.
Kamberling said that he and his team usually start preparations for the event in late July or early August by brainstorming varying ideas for the event.
“Usually in the middle of September we really start getting everything put together,” Kamberling said. “Then once October rolls around, like where we’re at now, this is where we put the final touches on everything.” Kamberling adds that the bulk of the set up occurs the day of, and requires lots of hands.
“It’s a long process,” he said. “It’s a big event, but with the help that we have, it usually runs pretty smoothly.”
Kamberling also discussed the various goals of Lisbon’s downtown Halloweentown event next week.
“I think the biggest one is probably community engagement,” Kamberling said. “We’re really trying hard to get more groups from out of the downtown district, from both Mount Vernon and Lisbon to come down and hand out candy, just to make it a little bit bigger. We usually are pretty good about filling the whole downtown and our attendance is always pretty awesome.”
Kamberling added that for the most part, every business in Lisbon’s downtown district has signed up to be involved in the Halloweentown event.
“We have been doing this for a long, long time, and it’s always been one of our most successful events,” Kamberling said. “I think what makes it great is that this kind of event gives families a safe place to come down. Everything’s blocked off, and there’s a lot of different groups and businesses that are involved.”
Lisbon Public Library hosting Dia de Muertos event Sunday
Lisbon Public Library will also host a Dia de Muertos event Sunday, Nov. 2, from 2-4 p.m. at Lisbon Heritage Hall. .
This Mexican holiday is about bringing families together to remember lost loved ones, and to welcome them back from the afterlife for a special visit on November 1st or 2nd.
The event will feature a dance performance by Fuerzas Culturales Ballet Folklórico of Cedar Rapids. You can also enjoy pan de muerto (a sweet bread), and hot chocolate, work on crafts, hear stories about the holiday, and see the community ofrenda created in memory of lost loved ones.