By Linda Tancs
Talk about bragging rights: In 1937, the United States Congress officially designated Anoka, Minnesota, the Halloween Capital of the World. The story begins in 1920, when Anoka merchants and other interested citizens joined together in a move to stop troublesome Halloween pranks. They sponsored a first-ever community-wide Halloween celebration featuring a parade and bonfire. The event was so successful that no pranks were reported. Still going strong for over a century, Anoka draws tens of thousands of visitors each October with what is now a month-long Halloween celebration that includes parades, a 5k run, ghost tours, costume contests and a giant pumpkin exposition.
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