ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Hundreds of residents flocked to main street for St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Adult Halloween Bash

The annual event has provided adults in the community an opportunity to enjoy the Halloween season for over the past decade.

“Halloween is just not for kids anymore. Adults can have fun too,” Executive Director Lisa Kindler said. “You can trick or treat at any age. So we thought, why not have kind of a happy hour type thing for the adults to come after work and have fun, dress in their costumes if they want, and just have a good time.”

She added that there’s countless things for kids to do at Halloween so she hopes the bash provides a fun and safe activity for adults to get into the Halloween spirit.

Kindler said that the goal of the event is for residents to visit and shop at the several businesses on Main Street.

Kindler said that more than 23 local businesses are located on Main Street and all of them were opened during Thursday evening’s event.

She added that more than 20 vendors, four food trucks, and live music provided by local cover band My So Called 90’s Band.

The live entertainment was sponsored by St. Clairsville Parks and Recreation department and is a new addition to the festivities.

Kindler said that the event’s title sponsor was WesBanco, which offered games and activities in its parking lot. Among them was the Battle of Oz, an inflatable jousting game.

Local business Better You Nutrition provided cardio drumming where attendees drummed on yoga balls and danced to music.

Thursday marked the second year of the event being able to be part of the city’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area initiative.

Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.82 allows residents within the boundaries of the DORA limits to purchase an open beverage containing alcohol from an on-premises liquor permit holder, such as a bar or a restaurant, and leave the premises with the drink and continue consuming it.

The DORA limits were on Main Street from Marietta Street and Sugar Street.

The event had a check-in point where attendees were required to provide their identification. Once they provide proof of being 21 years or older, they were given a wristband.

Kindler said that she believes the DORA has been a wonderful inclusion to the event.

“I think it helps the attendance, and it helps our local restaurants, because patrons are allowed to have their drink and go into all the businesses up and down Main Street and see all of the different things that they have to offer,” she said.

Newellstown Diner, Audrey’s Avenue and Trent Brownsfield of Creepin Motorsports’ Beer Truck all sold beer during the event.

Several businesses and vendors also provided free jello shots or liquor shots in lieu of or in addition to candy.

Kindler said that Thursday’s event was the biggest one yet and plans to continue to grow by looking to find new ways to outdo the previous year’s event.