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Up and down Main Street was a fun place to be in Winchester on Thursday, Oct. 31. 

Once again, the location played host to Halloween Main-ia, where locals could trick-or-treat in historic downtown Winchester between Lexington Avenue and Washington Street. 

“Halloween Main-ia has been around for several years, and it’s just a safe alternative to [traditional] trick-or-treating,” said City Manager Bruce Manley. “It’s downtown, so our downtown businesses can be involved and we just want to bring the community together and show them how great our town is.” 

Despite starting an hour later than originally scheduled due to larger-than-expected early voting lines and encountering some rain throughout the evening, large crowds gathered nevertheless. 

Among the many costumes seen throughout the evening – worn by many youth and even adults – were Belle from the story “Beauty and the Beast,” Pennywise from Stephen King’s “It,” characters of both “Star Wars” & “Ghostbusters,” Spiderman, Michael Myers of “Halloween” fame, and one of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” 

Others got quite creative with their costumes, making dinosaur outfits and much more. 

Several local businesses – including Bluegrass Pediatric Therapies, The Daily Grind, and Rose Mary C. Brooks Place – were placed along Main Street with members handing out a variety of candies. 

Among them were chocolates from Hershey and other brands, suckers, Skittles, and more. 

Other items – such as toothbrushes – were also passed out, with current Clark County Circuit Court Clerk Martha Miller doing so. 

City Commissioner Kitty Strode, Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission Executive Director Jill Hamlin, and other city employees were also present, as was the Clark County Fire Department – who had one of their vehicles parked in front of the Clark County Courthouse. 

Rebecca Elligson, a Winchester resident and member of Central Baptist Church, was present handing out treats with her husband, Brian. 

Their vehicle was one of over 40 lined up along Main Street. 

While she was dressed as a farmer, Brian wore a costume featuring a pumpkin head and vines for hands. 

When passing out treats, Rebecca Elligson noted the many participants. 

“We went through our Costco stash, and this is [now] stuff that our church donated,” she said. “My husband…is the brainchild of making costumes…we are here with our church to [show] love [to] the community.” 

The crowd included local resident Adam Fitzpatrick. 

Present with his wife and four daughters, Fitzpatrick was dressed as the character “Blippi” from the popular television series while his daughters dressed as witches. 

“We’ve done it before. I just like that it’s all together [and] you don’t have to go house to house,” he said. “It’s fun. It’s about all the costumes and everything.” 

Manley concluded that community support helped make the night worthwhile. 

“I just appreciate the community coming together to make this a good night for the kids,” he said.