As another Halloween celebration wraps up this week in Anoka, the Halloween Capital of the World, city officials are already planning for the centennial celebration next year.
Legend has it that the city planned a parade and bonfire in 1920 to deter youth from mischief, such as letting cows loose on the streets. A "Find the Cow" game was created for this year's celebration in memory of the miscreants.
Next year's 100th anniversary Halloween conveniently falls on a Saturday, thanks to leap year. Given the timing, much is being planned for the anniversary celebration.
Though other locales claim the Halloween Capital title, Anoka says it got the honor via a 12-year-old local boy who carried the proclamation to Washington, D.C., in 1937.
KIM HYATT
EAGAN
Viking Lakes project gets city's approval
The Eagan City Council this month unanimously approved plans for 261 apartment units, retail space and amenities at Viking Lakes, the development adjacent to the Minnesota Vikings' headquarters and training facility that opened last year.
The development, to be built south of the team's facilities at Lone Oak and Vikings parkways, will include a clubhouse, outdoor pool and fitness center, cafe and "service retail" open to the public, officials said.
Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire noted the large amount of resident parking, totaling more than 450 spots. Don Becker, executive vice president of MV Eagan Ventures, said the parking is necessary because of the larger units they're offering. "We like people to enjoy their apartments as a home," he said.
