Tammy Evans (left) is dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz in front of her store in Christiansburg on Thursday night during Halloween. On Tammy’s lap is the mythical dog Toto in a basket helping her hand out candy to youngster Ryder Owens, who is accompanied by his mother Lindsay Owens.
Brenda Burns|Urbana Daily Citizen
Only during Halloween in Christiansburg do masked monsters gather at the Masonic Lodge building. Pictured from left are David Gilbert, Chad Lavender and Kinley Lavender.
Brenda Burns|Urbana Daily Citizen
From left, Alannah Miller, Yvonne Miller and Tari Miller hand out hot dog sandwiches and beverages during Christiansburg’s Halloween celebration on Thursday.
Brenda Burns|Urbana Daily Citizen
CHRISTIANSBURG – Halloween arrived early in Christiansburg on Thursday. Although the other municipalities in Champaign County are observing Beggars Night on Saturday, Oct. 31, a decades-long tradition was kept alive by Christiansburg holding the annual event on a weekday.
Miller’s Quality Meats has given away hot dogs and warm beverages as a Halloween community gift for more than 40 years. Duane Miller, owner of the shop, said the previous owner Charles Lyons began the celebratory feeding and Miller has perpetuated it since buying the shop. Miller’s family helped distribute the refreshments Thursday evening, which included handing out 600 hot dog sandwiches.
A costume contest was also held at 6 p.m. and members of the Christiansburg Fire Company parked their vehicles at the village boundaries to ensure incoming motorists were aware of the costumed villagers roaming the streets in search of treats.
On Saturday, Urbana and several other municipalities will observe Beggars Night from 5-7 p.m. The exceptions will be Mechanicsburg and St. Paris, which will host their Trick-Or-Treaters on Saturday from 6-8 p.m.
