Helena Families Kick Off Halloween With Community Events and Candy

Costumes, Candy, and Community: Helena Families Kick Off Early Halloween Celebrations

Halloween may still be a day away, but communities across Helena are wasting no time breaking out the face paint, capes, and candy buckets. From assisted living centers to the county fairgrounds, local festivities kicked off in full force on Friday.

KTVH reported that Friday’s celebrations began early at Edgewood Assisted Living, where costumed children visited residents to trick-or-treat. For five-year resident Dee Sheek, the visits offered a welcome blast from the past.

“Oh, it’s wonderful, good fun, and brings people together,” Sheek said. “My daughter’s 55. I remember when she was little. I miss that very much.”

Beyond the candy, the gathering served a vital social function for seniors in assisted living and memory care. Carmen Lay, Edgewood’s wellness and enrichment director, pointed out that these intergenerational visits forge essential bonds that residents rarely get to experience during a typical week.

From Banana Suits to the Mandalorian

Costumes across the afternoon events ran the gamut from classic to contemporary. At Edgewood, Tysayn Veilleux arrived dressed as a banana, while Dylan Trevor and his young son sported matching Spider-Man outfits.

As Friday evening rolled in, the celebration expanded to the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds for the 10th annual Candy Jam. Hosted by Capstone Church, the free community event featured games, bounce houses, and roughly 800 pounds of candy to support an expected turnout of about 3,000 people. Pastor Caleb Groteluschen noted that preparation took around two months, including massive shopping runs.

“The shopping is always fun when we’re walking through Costco with some of the biggest purchases they’ve ever seen,” Groteluschen said. “Literally flatbeds full of candy.”

The Candy Jam crowd featured even more elaborate dress-up choices. Eight-year-old Lyla Groteluschen arrived dressed as a princess from “Wicked,” while 9-year-old Grayson Groteluschen suited up as the Mandalorian. Seven-year-old Fitz Powell dressed as a police officer, keeping his priorities simple for the evening.

“I hope to get a lot of candy,” Powell said.

What Comes Next

The holiday momentum continues on Saturday with the annual Little Tykes Trick or Treat event in downtown Helena. Families can gather throughout the Walking Mall and Great Northern Town Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Participating businesses will distribute treats, with trick-or-treaters instructed to look for a ghost displayed in storefront windows. Families can also scan a QR code on event maps to vote for their favorite group costume among local competing businesses. Organizers remind participants and drivers alike to stay visible as evening festivities pick up speed across town.