Halloween Capital Of The World Just 50 Minutes From St. Cloud

I might have squealed a little bit when I first heard that the Halloween capital of the world is only a 50 minute drive from St. Cloud. I mean, come on, I'm a self proclaimed Halloween fanatic. How did I not know this?!

It's true, the Halloween capital of the world is located in the one and only Anoka, Minnesota. According to their website (it wouldn't be official without one), they're believed to be the first city in the U.S. to celebrate Halloween throughout the community as a way to keep kids out of trouble. It's a smart move too...no one likes to wake up on Nov. 1 with soaped up windows and toilet paper in their trees.

It all started back in 1920, which means that the festival is getting pretty darn old. In fact, they're  collecting stories for an upcoming book that'll help celebrate 100 years of Halloween in Anoka. There's an event at the Rum River Library in Anoka on Sept. 28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. you can share your stories and experiences with the Halloween festival. What you share might be featured.

They definitely know how to celebrate big with witches, ghosts, goblins and of course ghouls. Numerous events are planned throughout the month of October.

There's a pumpkin weigh-off contest, scarecrow contest and of course there's an adult pumpkin carving contest. If you think that sounds cool, just WAIT! Check out their full schedule of events below. This isn't a trick, it's just a sweet treat!

• Find The Cow
• 100 Year Share Your Story
• Anoka Classic Car Show Spooktacular
• Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Scarecrow Contest, Adult Pumpkin Carving Contest
• Blood Mobile Blood Drive
• Wine and Canvas Night
• 2019 Pumpkin Bowl
• Halloween Party At The Library
• Scavenger Hunt
• Orange Tie Ball
• Anoka Community Anti-Crime Commission Breakfast
• Movie Night
• Anoka Halloween Candidate Sponsor Dinner
• Coloring Contest
• Children's Pumpkin Carving Contest
• Light Up The Night Parade
• Bonfire
• Medallion Hunt
• Past Royalty Lunch
• Bingo Night
• Wine and Canvas Night House Decorating Contest
• Wine & Craft Beer Tasting
• Preschool Costume Contest
• Big Parade of Little People
• Anoka Lions Tent Party
• Spooktacular Carnival
• 33rd Annual Gray Ghost 5K
• Grande Day Parade
• Anoka Halloween Ambassador Coronation
•  Anoka Lions Tent Party
• Halloween Post Parade Pancake Breakfast
• Bingo Night
• City of Anoka Waste Reduction Pumpkin Smashing

Does this seem like too many things to remember? It's OK, they thought of that too. Anoka has a button you can click in order to save all of these events to your Outlook calendar with the click of a button. It's pretty fancy. Just scroll to the bottom of their events page and click on the 'Export Events' button.