The ghouls and goblins are taking a government twist this Halloween in Duluth. Echoing through the chilly corridors of bureaucracy, the City of Duluth is throwing open its doors for a family-friendly City Hall-oween event. On the afternoon of October 30, between the decidedly non-spooky hours of 3:00 and 4:00 pm, little witches and miniature superheros will be on a quest for candy through the various municipal departments all housed under one roof.
In a recent social media post, the City of Duluth MN Government provided a few sensible ground rules to ensure a happy haunt for all involved. Costumes are certainly encouraged, no masks or anything that obscures the face, save for those surgical numbers worn for health reasons. And while creativity is the spirit of the season, Duluth City Hall asks revelers to steer clear, of violent or offensive get-ups, anything that signals gang life or horror tropes, and to leave faux weapons at home. Costumes that could demean anyone's race, religion, nationality, gender, or disability are also a firm no-go.
Originally launched in 2019, City Hall-oween was the brainchild of some festive souls looking to open the marble halls of City Hall for a dash more than bureaucratic business. It turned into an opportunity for staff to show off their spooky decorative flair and a chance for both their broods and the public's to go candy hunting in an unlikely spot. The tradition was halted, reasonably so, during the pandemic's zenith but is now back with a vengeance - err, that is - in its most wholesome form, for the 2024 spooky season.
The event's resurrection is being met with enthusiasm, proving that Duluth's City Hall can be about more than just red tape and city codes. An environment that, for one enchanting hour, will morph into a maze of trick-or-treat treasure troves according to the guidelines, which seem appropriately designed to deliver only treats, no tricks. It's a novel way to get the city's youngsters involved in community engagement - and let's face it, who wouldn't want their Junior City Council member to come home with a bag stuffed full of candy? So long as it's not during regular business hours.
