LANSDALE  – When Halloween night hits Lansdale, no street gets busier than W. Mt. Vernon. And while there is much talk these days of Halloween sputtering out in some communities, in the West Ward of Lansdale, it’s as ghoulishly alive as ever. 

The most populous part of this street stretches 5 blocks from Salford Ave to Susquehanna Ave. Kids from all over the North Penn district gather here dressed in costumes collecting an unhealthy amount of candy.

No matter which way you look you’ll find crowds of spirited children yelling “Trick-or-treat” or bragging to their friends about how many king sized candy bars they got. The tradition of Mt. Vernon is like no other street in Lansdale.

“I’ve been living here since 2016 and it has been packed with kids every year… since we live on a corner we only see about 700 kids, but other people will tell you about 900 or close to 1000,” Mt. Vernon resident Lindsay Miller Walton said.

Over time, the number of kids continued to grow and the culture shifted. Nowadays parents and kids are shocked when a house on this street has its lights off and isn’t offering candy. Unique treats and intricate lights fill the streets as night falls. There was even a resident grilling and giving out hot dogs for free. 

One couple, Heather and Joe Calarco, talked about the increase in trick-or-treaters every year and the development of the culture. The Calarco’s have lived on W. Mt. Vernon for 23 years and even back then there were a few hundred kids dressed up haunting the street.

“I find that most kids are super polite and well-mannered. We see hundreds of kids… [the candy] costs a lot of money, but it’s still a fun time and we try to do our best out here. The best way to describe the experience is unique,” The Calarco’s explained. 

One house keeps count of how many trick-or-treaters they see in a night. Last year they recorded 826 kids coming for their candy. Their highest count was upwards of 900 kids.

W. Mt. Vernon is a great place for kids of all ages and dressing all costumes to come together and create memories with their closest friends. Whether you’re 3 years old or 33 years old, everyone seems to find fun here.

Each Halloween, Mt Vernon becomes the heart of Lansdale’s spooky spirit. From the laughter of kids to neighbors keeping traditions alive. It’s clear this street is about more than just candy; it’s about community.