Halloweentown Saved: City Rescues Festival Funding

St. Helens, Oregon, a town famed as the filming location for Disney's "Halloweentown," nearly faced scaled-back Halloween festivities this year due to a substantial $350,000 funding shortfall. The annual Spirit of Halloweentown celebration, a major draw for tourists and vital for local businesses, was put in jeopardy.

City councilors convened on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to address the financial gap. A miscommunication regarding the budget for the event company, Treadway, led to the discovery that less funding was available than anticipated. Despite initial efforts to reduce spending, a significant deficit remained.

To ensure the continuation of the beloved Halloween event, the interim city administrator proposed allocating $250,000 from the city's contingency funds and borrowing $100,000 from its community development fund. The loan is expected to be repaid within the current fiscal year. Councilors unanimously approved these measures, securing the future of the Spirit of Halloweentown and alleviating concerns for businesses that depend on the event.

Mayor Jennifer Massey emphasized the importance of the celebration for the local economy, noting that many businesses have made extensive preparations, including retaining staff and purchasing inventory, in anticipation of the "Halloweentown" festivities. The approved funding guarantees that the town can fully embrace its cinematic legacy and host the event without anticipated cuts.