READING, Pa. – Penn Street was filled with thousands of people and 45 organizations, businesses and nonprofits Thursday night.    

It was all to make this Halloween extra special for kids in Reading.

“Everybody’s just in a really good mood, and that’s what we had hoped for,” said Reading Mayor Eddie Moran.

It was the city’s sixth year doing “Halloween on Penn,” and it just gets bigger and better every year.

Moran says they had around 5,000 people attend the event.

“Everybody’s telling me they’re running out of candy, which is a great thing,” the mayor said.

Joseph Gaston, from The Candy Factory, wasn’t slowing down. 

“I think we’re at like 500 bars,” he said.

Thousands of people came out to Penn Street in Reading for some pre-Halloween fun.

Along with candy, businesses were also handing out food and prizes, and had tons of family-friendly activities.

Gaston says it’s a great way to support their community.

“This is fun, first of all, but giving back, it’s nice. It’s really nice,” he said.

Meghan Walker lives in Reading. She brought her kids, and dressed up herself.

She says being able to come to an event like this is amazing.

“This is going to change for the future. It’s going to make our city better and greater. You know, this is going to inspire someone one day,” Walker said.

Walker says she’s glad her children get to grow up having this as their Halloween celebration.

“It’s beautiful. They didn’t have that when we were growing up, so it’s really nice to see how the communities come together,” said Walker. 

The mayor says the event helps give kids a safe and fun way to celebrate Halloween. He hopes it continues to grow every year.

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