By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

VICTORIA -- Some unusual characters took to the streets in downtown Victoria Saturday afternoon.

Little monsters and princesses rushed from one business to the next, seeking to fill their bags and buckets with an assortment of Halloween treats.

"Trick-or-treat!" Blake Bieker, a 2-year-old from Ellis, shouted, jumping around the corner to surprise Nicole Kennedy, owner of Grandma's Kitchen.

Bieker, who was dressed like a monster race car driver, wasn't disappointed. Kennedy loaded him up with a variety of candy, plus a pencil he was excited to "color with," he said.

The weekend marked downtown Victoria's first-ever organized trick-or-treat event, and many parents and children took advantage of the afternoon candy-collecting opportunity. It's hoped the festivities could become annual, said Kennedy, who organized the event.

Kennedy said she was inspired by similar opportunities she had while growing up and wanted to do something for local children.

Bieker's mother, Pam, said she appreciated the opportunity to get some of the trick-or-treating done before sunset.

"He's too hard to keep up with," she said, trying to keep her son from heading out the door to the next business on the list.

More than 10 businesses participated in the endeavor, with several business owners and employees also taking the opportunity for some holiday fun. Kennedy was dressed like a 1950's sock-hopper, and outside Tresses salon, Lisa Boyd was dressed to represent the process of becoming beautiful. She had rollers in her hair, lipstick on her teeth, and was waiting to hand out a bucket full of candy.

"It's a great day for it," Boyd said. "A lot of Halloweens are full of rain. This one's perfect."

Tyler Dreiling, 9, also was making his way down Main Street with his grandmother, Darlene Dreiling, also of Victoria. He knew he wanted a costume that was scary, and he succeeded at that.

"I really ain't sure," Dreiling said when asked what he was dressed like.

"It's scary, whatever it is," his grandmother said with a laugh. Maybe, Darlene Dreiling suggested, he was a swamp monster.

The duo paused for some quick grocery shopping at Rick's Food Store, and Tyler Dreiling also took the opportunity to collect some candy there.

But for some businesses, offering candy on Halloween is nothing new. Gambino's Pizza has been a local trick-or-treat destination for years, said Manager Nola Newcomer, who lives in Walker.

"We've always done this," Newcomer said. "This is great."

Sumar Scheck, along with a pumpkin princess and JoJo the clown, paused at the restaurant Saturday as the trio made their way downtown.

The family was having a Halloween party in the evening and wanted to get some trick-or-treating done early, said Scheck, a Victoria resident.

"I think it's neat," she said of the event. "It's good for the kids to get out; it's safe candy. It's fun to see some of the businesses."