Highway trick or treating alternative
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Chandler will celebrate Halloween in Winchester Park. Businesses from along highway 31 will camp on the park's sidewalk and offer free candy to trick or treating children. The real benefit, however, is not the sweets.

Ron Reeves, Chandler Police Department chief, said the real issue is the safety of the children.

"It's a lot better for the business people and individuals," Reeves said. "People can walk without dodging cars."

Reeves added that it was businesses who suggested allowing children to trick or treat in Winchester Park.

Roxie Holley, owner of the Chandler Feed and Seed, said this Halloween event is where businesses will come and set up.

"It's mainly the businesses," Holley said, "but anyone can "

Halloween at the park will start at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, October 31, and will continue until 7 pm. This will be the third or fourth year for Halloween in Winchester Park, Holley added.

In addition, businesses must call Roxie Holley at the Chandler Feed and Seed at (903)-849- 6881, for notification of participation. The deadline is the week before Halloween, Holley said.

Holley also said last year 16 businesses attended the event and were grouped around the walking track. Holley said there were some decorations, but they didn't go all out, and the businesses didn't manage to fill up the park.

"Room's not the issue. We have plenty of room," Holley said.

Donna Tyndell, manager of the Sonic in Chandler, said the businesses on highway 31 to simply set up the treat giveaways along the highway.

"We did two years of trick or treating on the highway," Tyndell said. "We talked about it and said it was just not safe."

Tyndell added that there had been close calls in the past, such as someone almost being struck by an oncoming car.

"It's just a safe environment for the kids," Tyndell said.

Donna Tyndell can also be contacted by businesses wish- ing to participate in the Halloween event. Tyndell can be reached at (903)-714-9780.

"We want everyone to participate, " Tyndell said. "If people don't call I'm going to knock on their doors and ask them to participate."