Witches glided down Central Avenue in St. Petersburg on rollerblades. A Batman rolled by on a scooter. A dinosaur pedaled down on a bike. But not a single car was in sight.
On Sunday, Central Avenue in St. Petersburg was closed to traffic for a Halloween celebration called Halloween on Central. From 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., about 2 miles of Central Avenue were car free.
The mood was bright as thousands, many in costumes, walked up and down from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street to 31st Street. The walkable stretch was packed with activities, from costume contests to trick-or-treating to a roller disco.
Vendors lined the streets, many handing out candy for trick-or-treaters. People spilled out of bars and restaurants. Others stopped to watch in wonder at live performances like glass blowing or dancing.
Sydney Fennell, Erin Dowling, Amira Kattaria and Jordan Wacker, all 16, of St. Petersburg walk together on Central Avenue during Halloween in St. Petersburg on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
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Andrew Lundin, dressed as Blippi, a popular children’s entertainment character, in a bright orange hat and suspenders, came with his family, including his 2-year-old son, Ethan, who’s dressed head-to-toe as a green dinosaur.
“We don’t get this opportunity ever,” Lundin said. “There’s so many great places on Central, but it’s always so busy.”
Lundin’s family walked from their house to the event. They’d only been there a few minutes before they ran into neighbors.
Traci Lundin, 35, says she wants to see more events like this that bring the community together. It’s like a giant block party, she said.
The event is a collaboration between the city of St. Petersburg, the Grand Central District, Car-Free St. Pete, the Edge district and Open Streets St. Pete.
Donna O’Quinn, a volunteer on the Car-Free St. Pete committee, called the turnout wonderful.
“This a big event that we’ve been building toward,” O’Quinn said. “This is something we’re really excited about.”
Walking down the open street, strangers stopped one another for a photo of a quirky costume.
Joan, 57, and Kevin DiMaggio, 64, could only walk a few yards before being stopped for a photo.
The pair were dressed as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in costumes made from scratch over a few days.
Joan, 57, and Kevin DiMaggio, 64, who are dressed as Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, pose for a portrait during Halloween on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
[ IVY CEBALLO | Times ]
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The two wanted to wear something that was timely, but would also make a splash.
“The reaction has been about 95 percent positive,” Kevin said. “It’s been funny, we’ve had a lot of health care workers stop us for photos.”
Other stars of the event were the pups making their way down Central, many dressed in their own costumes.
Reese, a 3-year-old Chihuahua from Saint Petersburg, was dressed as a “dog-tor,” said his owner, Sean Quinonez.
On the side of his costume, Reese was strutting a first-place ribbon for a racing contest.
Quinonez, 30, says he hopes to see more events like this in St. Petersburg.
On Twitter, Mayor Rick Kriseman described the event as a bucket list item.
“One of my mayoral bucket list items was to close Central Ave. to cars one day. This is the day.”