Halloween takes over the mall

Halloween festivities are coming a day early to Mesilla Valley Mall, where families can trade door-to-door trick-or-treating for an evening of candy, costumes and a haunted house under one roof. 

Mall-O-Ween will take place Friday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., bringing local businesses, volunteers and mall tenants together for a free, all-ages celebration. The event will feature trick-or-treating throughout the mall, a costume contest, music from DJ Tommy Black and a haunted house inside the former Victoria's Secret storefront. 

For Black, a longtime Las Cruces DJ and radio personality, the goal was to give families another way to celebrate without worrying about the weather or the cost of admission. 

The idea grew out of an existing partnership with the mall, where Black previously organized a block party. Although Halloween celebrations have been held there in years past, he wanted to bring together local vendors and new attractions while keeping the evening accessible to families. 

“Seeing the response, honestly, has put a smile on my face,” Black said. “But it has also showed you how big of a heart that people in this community have.” 

Black enlisted event coordinator Nicole Black, owner of Black Label Events, and longtime collaborator Janel Carnero to help organize the celebration. Mesilla Valley Mall operations manager Aaron Quezada joined the effort by making the building and its resources available. 

Quezada, who has known Tommy Black for years, said their partnership has grown through a shared interest in hosting community events. 

“He's full of ideas, and I've got the space,” Quezada said. 

The mall is providing tables, chairs, a stage, parking, and additional security at no charge. Organizers are also waiving vendor fees, allowing local businesses to participate without paying for a booth. 

Nicole Black said about 25 vendors had signed up as of Oct. 5, with organizers continuing to welcome additional participants. Businesses will be able to showcase or sell their products while helping distribute candy alongside participating mall stores. 

The haunted house is being assembled with help from volunteers and Home Depot. The costume contest will feature four age groups, with first-, second- and third-place prizes scheduled throughout the evening. 

Much of Nicole Black's work has involved coordinating those moving pieces, from vendor placements to communication with stores and volunteers. 

For Carnero, the celebration also carries a personal meaning. She has worked with Tommy Black on community projects for about a decade and helped create the Mall-O-Ween flyer, but her decision to get involved was shaped in part by the memory of her late son, Christopher, who loved Halloween. 

Carnero said she looks forward to seeing his friends at the mall and watching children enjoy an evening with their families. She also hopes the event gives parents an affordable opportunity to make memories together. 

“Everything's expensive nowadays and a lot of people are struggling right now,” Carnero said. “And one thing you shouldn't have to worry about is providing a fun, safe environment for your kids.” 

That emphasis on families has also shaped the event's safety plans. Nicole Black said children must be accompanied by an adult, and costumes may not include real or imitation weapons. Mall security will be on duty, with additional personnel planned for the evening. 

Organizers have discussed directing attendees toward the entrance near the movie theaters, where the main stage and DJ area are expected to be located. Parking near the theaters is recommended, although some layout details remained subject to change when organizers were interviewed. 

Admission and trick-or-treating are free, and no advance registration is required. Food and merchandise offered by participating businesses may be available for purchase. 

Quezada said the mall's involvement reflects a broader effort to make its facilities available for community activities. He hopes Mall-O-Ween will become another recurring event, though future celebrations have not yet been formally announced. 

Tommy Black said he hopes families leave the mall with something more than candy. 

“The biggest joy for me is to see the smile on the kids' faces,” he said. “To me, that's the best thank you that anybody could ever give me.”