Licking community “Lights the Night” for kids

By Editor | November 4, 2026 |

Photos by Heather Hawn
Teddy Roosevelt, Sally and a deer won first, second and third place, respectively, in the 0-4 category. Judges Morgan and Meredith can be seen in the background.

Foxy, Lily Love Braids and the White Chicks claimed first through third places in the 5-12 age group.

An astronaut, Michael Jackson and Mia Thermopolis were first, second and third in the 13 and up age group.

A group of scarecrows, characters from Inside Out, and a Super Mario couple were the winners of first, second and third place in the group contest.

Groups set up trunk or treat stations along South Main Street during Licking’s annual Light the Night Festival Saturday evening, and hundreds of costumed youngsters and the young at heart made the rounds, collecting candy and other treats.

The Licking Fire Department decorated the Fox Fire Station and gave candy, hot dogs and chips to those who dared to enter. Licking FFA students decorated the historic Licking Mill and offered a kid-friendly spooky mill tour, with over 300 going through the three-story structure. Businesses, churches, and residents of the community opened their doors to ghosts, monsters, princesses and other characters, offering a treat (or a handful of treats.)

The Kimble Parker Band performed Southern/Classic rock and country music and several took advantage of the music for some dancing.

City Hall sponsored a costume contest. This year’s winners in the 0-4 category were: Colt as Teddy Roosevelt – first place; Kiara as Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas) – second place, and Cohen as a deer – third place.

The 5-12 age category winners were: first place Scott as Foxy (Five Nights at Freddy’s), second place Adalynn as Lily Love Braids (Poppy Playtime), and third place Liam and Skylar as the White Chicks.

In the 13 and older category, an astronaut costume won first place for Bentley; Ryder’s Michael Jackson Thriller costume earned him second place, and Schyler portrayed Mia Thermopolis from Princess Diaries to get third place.

The final category was groups, and four scarecrows (Patty, Melissa, Michelle and Vincent) won first place. The Inside Out characters (Atley, Paislee and Kinlee) took second place. Third place went to Andrew and Tonya as the Super Mario couple.

A few sprinkles fell early, and that, coupled with the high cost of candy this year, may have decreased the number of trunk or treat locations overall, but there were still plenty of opportunities for children to fill their treat bags before a light rain began to fall near the end of the event.