Kennebunk’s most popular trick-or-treat destination, Summer Street, stayed open to traffic this year. Sydney Richelieu / Kennebunk Post

For the first time in several years, the town of Kennebunk did not close its most popular trick-or-treat destination for Halloween.

Summer Street is known as the best trick-or-treat spot in town — the homes always have incredible decorations, and some residents even give out king-size candy bars.

For years, Summer Street has been the place to be on Halloween night, and the road has been closed off to vehicles so trick-or-treaters can roam the street without worrying about cars.

This year, the town decided not to close the street, despite concerns from residents and trick-or-treaters. Instead, town officials erected temporary traffic calming measures to enhance safety for the candy-seeking kids.

According to the town, some Summer Street homeowners expressed concerns about restricted access to their homes, and the ever-increasing cost of buying candy for large crowds.

“What originally started by the homeowners on Summer Street as a small, local, event has since grown into a large-scale gathering,” said a statement from town officials. “It has become difficult for current residents to sustain.”

But many Summer Street homeowners disagreed.

In September, many homeowners petitioned to close the street for Halloween night. Ultimately, the town decided to keep the street open.

Traffic cones, bright lights, and officers lined the street to keep pedestrians safe on Halloween. Sydney Richelieu / Kennebunk Post

The town’s reasons for keeping the street open included lack of resources such as police and fire, as well as safety hazards

To Summer Street resident Julie MacClinchy, those reasons were unfounded.

MacClinchy told the Post that it seemed like a “very big” production to manage the road staying open this year.

Multiple officers were stationed with large spotlights throughout the area, and traffic lanes were marked by cones placed by officers.

“The police and fire that we encountered made multiple comments that it would’ve been easier to close the road,” MacClinchy said.

The lanes were narrow, she said, causing vehicles to stop frequently, and crosswalks were not necessarily used by trick-or-treaters.

“There was certainly a presence of more police than have ever been there,” MacClinchy said, “I know the town sentiment was that it was taking more resources, but from our eyes, there were more officers.”

Despite the road remaining open to vehicular traffic, trick-or-treat crowds were just as large as usual.

Despite the road staying open, trick-or-treaters showed up to Summer Street in droves. Sydney Richelieu / Kennebunk Post

Thousands of children and families crowded Summer Street dressed in their best costumes, admiring the decorations and collecting candy.

Even drivers who didn’t normally get to see Summer Street on Halloween enjoyed the view.

“Kudos to the town for managing a safe pathway for the parade of people on Summer Street,” resident Melissa Hall Wentworth said. “It was a treat for me to drive slowly and enjoy all of the fantastic costumes and music.”

MacClinchy said vehicles did not need to be a part of trick-or-treat. In fact, she said drivers were often distracted by costumes and not paying attention to what they were doing.

“It didn’t feel as safe and as much of a free space for the youth of our community to have a special night to themselves where they were able to roam,” MacClinchy said.” It’s nice to give kids a little bit more freedom, and it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t give that to them.”