The weather couldn’t have been prettier Saturday morning when neighborhood families and visitors from all over the St. Louis area gathered at The McPherson’s parking lot for the annual CWE Halloween parade. Led by Shriners’ parade cars and Cinderella in a horse-drawn carriage, they paraded down Euclid to the Main Stage at Maryland Plaza where they participated in some dance moves, and then dispersed to trick or treat at neighborhood shops.
Hats off to all of you who support businesses in the Central West End North Community Improvement District. That includes shops, restaurants, Straub’s, The Chase Hotel—all the businesses north of Lindell from Kingshighway east to Euclid along Maryland Plaza and McPherson, and north to Washington. The extra 1% sales tax you pay on purchases in this area, whether it’s a coffee, card, candle, book, or meal, is reinvested in the community via the CWE North Community Improvement District. The funds are used for beautification, street cleaning, security patrols, and numerous events throughout the year, such as Saturday’s Halloween celebration.
As I observed the many families, pet owners, and the hundreds of people who joined the festivities at Saturday night’s adult costume contest, I felt so proud to be part of a neighborhood that is able to open its arms and share its good fortune with anyone who wants to participate. I don’t think I am alone when I acknowledge that a day spent talking to each other about extremely clever costumes, adorable kids, dolled-up pets, and watching strangers dancing together in the streets, restored my faith in the commonalities among us.
Additional thanks to those who organized the events including Kate Haher, Erica Lembo, Frances Thompson, Dennis Gorg, and many more.