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NEWTON FALLS -- After a lengthy and, at times, argumentative, discussion between a member of village council and the president of the Newton Falls Kiwanis Club about when to have trick or treat and the Kiwanis' annual cake walk, a decision was made by both council and the club to have both events on Halloween.
Adam Zimmermann, president of the Newton Falls Kiwanis Club and a former council member, said at Wednesday's council meeting the cake walk, which will mark its 100th year, is designed for the benefit of the children. While it is on Halloween this year, that may not always be the case based on the availability of the members for the event.
First Ward Councilman Brian Kropp previously proposed a resolution that the village should from now on have trick or treat 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31, which he said is when many people who have contacted him want it to be.
Kropp proposed the time and date of trick or treat and was asked if he had contacted the Kiwanis about the date and time of the cake walk. Kropp said he would contact the Kiwanis and said he reached out to Zimmermann to find out what time the cake walk would be, but the conversation did not go well.
Zimmermann said he wanted Kropp to meet with the Kiwanis to see how they plan for and schedule the annual event. He said the service organization is the one that decides when the membership can host the event.
Zimmermann said while the Kiwanis members have hosted the cake walk in the past on Saturday, sometimes it has been on Thursday, depending on the date of Halloween. Several members of the club who attended the meeting recommended trick or treat take place during the day for the safety of the children.
This year's costume contest is at 1:45 p.m. followed by the cake walk through 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31 downtown.
The city closes off a section of West Broad Street for the event and has police patrols available.
Kropp proposed setting trick or treat 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31, but Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert made a motion to have it 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31, which will be closer to when the cake walk ends. Council voted 4-1 to have trick-or-treat 4 to 6 p.m., with Kropp casting the no vote.
Kropp and Zimmermann criticized one another at times during Wednesday's council meeting. While most of the discussion over the scheduling started between Kropp and Zimmermann, other members of village council and the Kiwanis began providing their input and suggestions.
Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis said he would like to see trick or treat and the cake walk on the same day, which has been the tradition for many years.
Zimmermann said while he agrees with what Axiotis is saying, it may not always be possible since the cake walk is based on availability of members. Kiwanis member Susan Holub said in recent years, between 3,000 and 5,000 people have attended the cake walk when it took place during daylight hours, which started after the coronavirus pandemic.
Holub and other Kiwanis members said when the event was scheduled at night, there were some incidents, including a person being groped and some adults wearing inappropriate costumes. The Kiwanis members said the adults were asked to not wear inappropriate costumes in front of children.
Law Director Gary VanBrocklin said while the dates have been set for both events this year, he recommends a committee of city council meet with the Kiwanis Club before next Halloween to see what can be worked out between both groups.
Mayor David Hanson praised the Kiwanis for having the cake walk, which is enjoyed by local children.
""I want to thank the Kiwanis for the past 100 years of this wonderful tradition in Newton Falls. It is a tradition that a lot of communities across the state know about," Hanson said.