Thousands are strolling down closed Central Avenue in St. Pete

Witches rollerbladed down Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. A Batman rolled by on a scooter. A dinosaur has been pedaling a bicycle. 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., approximately two miles on Central Avenue was car free.

The mood was bright when thousands, many in costumes, from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street up and down 31st Street. The walkable route 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 treating. People poured from bars and restaurants. Others stopped to watch live performances such as glass blowing or dancing in amazement.

Sydney Fennell, Erin Dowling, Amira Kattaria and Jordan Wacker, all 16, from St. Petersburg walk together on Central Avenue during Halloween in St. Petersburg on Sunday, October 31, 2021.

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Andrew Lundin, dressed up as Blippi, a popular children’s entertainment character, in a bright orange hat and suspenders, arrived with his family, including his two-year-old son Ethan, dressed from head to toe as a green dinosaur.

“We’ll never get that opportunity,” said Lundin. “There are so many great places in Central, but there is always so much going on.”

Lundin’s family walked from their home to the event. They had only been there a few minutes before meeting neighbors.

Traci Lundin, 35, says she wants to see more events like this one that bring the community together. It’s like a huge 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 St. Pete Car Free Committee, said the turnout was wonderful.

“This is a big event that we are working towards,” said O’Quinn. “This is something that we are very happy about.”

Strangers stopped in the open street for a photo of a whimsical costume.

Joan, 57, and Kevin DiMaggio, 64, were only able to walk a few meters before being stopped for a photo.

The two were dressed as Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in costumes that were made from scratch in a matter of days.

Joan, 57, and Kevin DiMaggio, 64, dressed as Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, pose for a portrait during Halloween on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg on Sunday, October 31, 2021.

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The two wanted to wear something that was contemporary but would also cause a sensation.

“The response has been about 95 percent positive,” said Kevin. “It was fun, we had a lot of healthcare workers stopping us for photos.”

Other stars of the event were the pups that made their way through Central, many in their own costumes.

Reese, a three-year-old Chihuahua from Saint Petersburg, was disguised as a “dog gate,” said owner Sean Quinonez.

On the side of his costume, Reese strutted a ribbon for first place for a racing competition.

Quinonez, 30, hopes to see more of these events in St. Petersburg.

On Twitter, Mayor Rick Kriseman described the event as a bucket list item.

“One of my mayoral bucket list items was closing Central Avenue to cars one day. This is the day. “

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