So much goes into celebrating the FIRST year of the Anoka Halloween tradition in 1920. But it’s the SECOND year that really starts the tradition. Hear what the celebrations were like in 1921, and how it echoes our celebrations today.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator
Read MoreIn 1979 Karen George became an Anoka Princess and spent the next year driving back and forth from college in Morehead, MN to represent her home town at various events and parades. George shares her journey as a candidate and Princess, how she designed the first Halloween themed float for the city and her lasting connections with Anoka Halloween. Episode originally published Oct 1, 2021.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Cindy McKenney, ACHS Office Staff.
Read MoreListen in on a busy night of Ghost Tours in Anoka with ACHS. Learn about how the tour came to be, meet some of the guides, and hear new stories as we gather stories to update the tour.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreAs a response to shenanigans leading up to October 31, the City of Anoka came together for their first Halloween Festival in 1920. Hear what that first Halloween was like and how the city came together to celebrate the day.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreMore Ghosts abound in Anoka! Rebecca wandered into the music store on Main St. on the hunt for ghost stories and met Jerry Olson from Twin Cities Music Repair. He shared the mysterious happenings that he’s witnessed, and his connection to past Reynolds Music owner, John Reynolds.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreTo officially kick-off Ghost Tour season at ACHS, a classic reboot episode of Ghost Stories! In 2022, we sat down with Ambi Wine Bar and The Big White House to talk about their ghostly encounters. Both businesses are stops on the Ghosts of Anoka Tour which run September and October in the City of Anoka. This episode originally published September 2, 2022.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreThousands of people attend the Anoka Halloween parades each year to see the floats. What they don’t see is all the work behind the scenes. Liz McFarland has organized the parades as a volunteer with Anoka Halloween for over 10 years. She stopped by the museum to share the story of how she fell into the role, and all the details that go into creating the Anoka Parades.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director
Read MoreTo officially kick-off Ghost Tour season at ACHS, we sat down with Ambi Wine Bar and The Big White House to talk about their ghostly encounters. Both businesses are stops on the Ghosts of Anoka Tour which run September and October in the City of Anoka.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreJohn Jost’s love of Anoka Halloween began as a child, and have culminated in the publication of a book celebrating the 100th anniversary of the festival. Learn about his connection to the holiday as a child, and what it was like organizing and celebrating a 100th anniversary during a pandemic.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreIn 1979 Karen George became an Anoka Princess and spent the next year driving back and forth from college in Morehead, MN to represent her home town at various events and parades. George shares her journey as a candidate and Princess, how she designed the first Halloween themed float for the city and her lasting connections with Anoka Halloween.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
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