Chamber set to Scare the Square on Oct. 31

Scare the Square will creep its way back to Aurora’s downtown square next Thursday, Oct. 31 to kick off Halloween night. The spooky but sweet event is a time for children and their families to dress up and trick-or-treat at the businesses around the square.
Justise Rhoden, executive director of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, explained that along with providing a spook-tacular time for children of every age, the event allows businesses to connect with the community and visitors.
“Scare the Square is a great opportunity for people who may not live in town or work in town always and can make it down to the square,” Rhoden said. “This is just a way to help highlight a lot of those businesses, to put faces to names and hopefully encourage these people to come and shop local after the event.”
Rhoden said Scare the Square has become the chamber’s largest event of the year.
“Prepare for lots and lots of children,” Rhoden said. “It’s a safe alternative for parents who want to take their kids trick-or-treating, but want make sure that they’re in a safe space and having fun.”
This year, the chamber is hosting a scarecrow contest with eight local businesses competing.
Community members can vote for their favorite scarecrow on the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Two costume contests that were thoroughly enjoyed by attendees last year will be resurrected for both humans and pets to participate in.
Rhoden said any event-goers who wish to showcase frighteningly good costumes worn by themselves or their pets should make sure they stop by the courthouse parking lot before 6 p.m.
“We just want to make sure that if they really want in the costume contest, be out there right at 5 p.m.,” she stated. “If they want to come sign up first and then go around, (they need to) make sure they keep an eye on the time for 6 p.m.”
Dancers from the Tempo Performing Arts Studio will also be performing on the courthouse parking lot to showcase their scare-tastic dance numbers.
Rhoden said with so many eager trick-or-treaters on the square, visitors are encouraged to exercise patience.
“We’re going to encourage everyone to go to the street to allow for more space,” Rhoden said.
The event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Vehicles parked in the downtown square will need to be moved from the square by 4 p.m. Families attending the event will also be asked park away from the square.
“(They need to) make sure that they keep in mind that they can’t drive through the square at all,” Rhoden commented. “If they want to leave earlier, (know) that we keep the road completely closed down until 7 p.m.”
Outside of dressing comfortably for the weather that night,  Rhoden suggests families “bring a great attitude, great costumes and have fun.”