[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27104]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING ANOKA, MINNESOTA, AS THE HALLOWEEN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK R. KENNEDY

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 2003

  Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the 
city of Anoka, Minnesota, as the ``Halloween Capital of the World.'' 
Anoka has been holding Halloween festivities since 1920, when a group 
of business and civic leaders suggested the idea of a celebration to 
deter old-time Halloween pranks. The community planned a night parade 
that featured children in costume marching along with members of the 
fire department, Kiwanis Club, Commercial Club and the National Guard.
  Anoka first called itself the ``Halloween Capital of the World'' in 
1937, with a proclamation carried to Washington, D.C. by 12 year-old 
Anoka resident, Harold Blair. Since the first celebration, the 
festivities have expanded to include card parties, bingo, a 5K Grey 
Ghost Run and a parade that is the second largest in the state. This 
year's celebration marks the 81st annual festival and was bigger and 
better than ever.
  I would like to congratulate and thank the city of Anoka, the more 
than 30 volunteers and all who work to make the Anoka Halloween 
celebration a yearly success and a family event for everyone to enjoy.

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