Witches and brides, vampires and Frankenstein's monsters prowled the streets of Marshfield's downtown Friday afternoon, stopping at shops displaying a pumpkin sign to make the traditional Halloween pitch.

"Trick or treat," shouted vampire-attired Garret Zoellick, 6, of Stratford as he walked into Marshfield Muscle and Fitness, 321 S. Central Ave. He and his brother Gavin, 4, a skeleton, received candy furnished by Main Street Marshfield to businesses and a trick-or-treat bag provided by CellComm.

The Friday trick-or-treat event at Main Street Marshfield businesses was designed to promote the area's new vintage atmosphere and show parents accompanying their children the new products and businesses, said Denise Sonnemann, Main Street executive director.

"I like this because it's a nice way for me to see the downtown," said Tania Kundinger of Marshfield, who was guiding her three children to participating stores. "It's nice to have something like this early for the kids, but it's been awhile since I've walked the downtown, and there is a lot that is new."

In the Main Street office, Sonnemann was distributing candy to a steady stream of children.

"I didn't expect this. It's great. There are lots of kids and parents," Sonnemann said. She added that she had fielded calls from some shop owners who had counted about 100 children in the first 45 minutes.

"This is a safe way to trick-or-treat. We'll be out of town on Saturday, so this gives our kids an opportunity to trick-or-treat," said Terri Zoellick, Garret and Gavin's mother.

Watching the children parade through Marshfield Muscle & Fitness, owner Brian Johnsrud agreed that it's a good way to promote the downtown.

"This is nice," he said.

Considering the popularity of the first downtown trick-or-treating, Sonnemann said it will become an annual promotion for Main Street.

"The Friday before Halloween: That will always be the day, and I think I'll need to buy more candy," she said.