Bloomington's Halloween trick-or-treat trail is back this weekend for its 6th year. Instead of going door to door, kids walk a path at Normandale Lake Park and collect candy without anyone needing to drive them from one cul-de-sac to the next.
The trail runs Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Normandale Lake Park, 84th Street and Chalet Road. It starts at the boat launch on the west side of the lake, and there's parking in the lots along Chalet Road. Bloomington Parks and Recreation says it's free and no registration is required. The trail is designed for kids from preschool through 5th grade.
The city has split the afternoon by age to keep the little ones from getting run over by 4th graders. Preschoolers through 2nd graders are encouraged to come from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Kids in 3rd through 5th grade are encouraged to come from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Along the way, the city says, there will be entertainment, candy and surprises from community partner organizations and city departments. Costumes aren't required, so a kid who refuses to put on the dinosaur suit can still come.
The Carnival Concessions food truck will be parked near the bandshell for anyone who wants real food. The city is also asking families to bring a non-perishable food item for the VEAP food shelf. Donations are appreciated but not required, and cash donations are also accepted.
The event happens weather permitting. If late-October weather does something late-October-ish, the city says it will post updates on the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Facebook page. If you have questions, the Parks and Recreation Department can be reached at 952-563-8877 or parksrec@BloomingtonMN.gov. The city's event page also has the full details and a parking and trail map.
If your Halloween week needs more candy than one Sunday can provide, there's also an indoor option for the youngest trick-or-treaters: the Mall of America's costumed toddler treat trail in Nickelodeon Universe on Oct. 27.
