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09/22/2021 12:00 AMThe Parks & Recreation Department needs your help for this year’s Halloween Spooktacular on Sunday, Oct. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. This annual event, nixed by COVID last year, is back and free to the community, with several associated events that highlight this community resource.
However, the department still needs community support to help make this event special. According to Recreation Supervisor Ellen Clow, two earlier events associated with the Spooktacular needs public input now-the window painting project and the scarecrow project.
“The window painting provides youth, families and adults the ability to showcase their artistic talent. I have witnessed wonderful memories on the day windows are painted. Whether a Girl Scout troop, preschool parent and their toddlers, a mother-and-daughter team, or a grandfather and his grandsons painting away and having a great time, the green comes alive. Business owners offer up their windows for one month in a show of support for the community and the community enjoys walking the green and admiring the painted windows,” said Clow.
The Halloween Window Painting Around the Green Program needs potential participants to send in sketches by Thursday, Sept. 23 and to paint the windows on Monday, Sept. 27. Anyone interested in painting a window can register online or call the Parks & Recreation Department at 203-453-8068.
The other event occurring is the Scarecrows on the Green. The town needs local businesses to build and bring a scarecrow to be displayed on the green prior to the big Spooktacular. According to Clow, it is a great way for local businesses to let residents know about their offerings.
“Scarecrows on the Green is a unique chance for businesses and organizations to display a scarecrow that represents what they have to offer the community. This is really such a fun way for businesses and organizations to engage with residents in a creative way,” said Clow.
Participants can pre-register (required) by calling Parks & Recreation at 203-453-8068 or emailing clowe@guilfordct.gov. Completed scarecrows should be brought to the south end of the green (across from Page’s Hardware) on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon.
“This is all about the community and it is a special way for businesses not located on the green to let everyone know where they are and what they do,” said Clow.
According to Clow, the Oct. 24 Halloween Spooktacular has been an event that has evolved over the last 10-plus years. Originally, residents were encouraged to come and meet on the green and then parade around. However, the event has moved from a parade to a more structured nature.
“The event did not happen in 2020 due to COVID restrictions. This year, due to continued COVID concerns, we have decided to change the event a little. Rather than having the Trunk or Treat on Park Street, we are asking organizations and businesses to set up a table (spread out) on the green for folks to walk around and collect a treat and if possible have a carnival-style game for kids to try their luck at, including witches ring toss, pumpkin bowling, [or] bean bag toss,” Clow. “There will also be walk around entertainment by Amazing Andy, storytelling at the Guilford Free Library, and Sound Spectrum Entertainment will be playing music.”
Winners of the Window Painting and Scarecrow projects will be announced at the Spooktacular.
Guilford Youth & family Services Program Director Karolin Regan said these events are a critical component of their community outreach and a great way for everyone to enjoy the town’s much-beloved Green.
“The Halloween events on the Guilford Green are a great way for the community and families to enjoy time together. The events help foster the developmental asset of community values youth in our children,” said Regan. “The more developmental assets that youth have, the less likely they are to engage in high risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive.”
Window Painting submissions are needed by Thursday, Sept. 23, and the Scarecrow submissions need to preregister with the Parks & Rec Department, and will be erected on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon. The Spooktacular is on Sunday, Oct. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. on the green. To have a table on the green, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 203-453-8068 or clowe@guilfordct.gov or register online at www.guilfordparkrec.com program #41106.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly state the Spooktacular event would be held Sunday, Oct. 31; it is on Sunday, Oct. 24.