Halloween update: Oct.29-31
UPDATED on Oct. 28, 2022 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Rich Wilbur's South Main Street display has taken a turn for the werewolf this year. The sign says that the display is dedicated to Joan Longchamp Potter who died in October 2021. Photo by Gordon Miller
The Barnes Hill skeleton is celebrating the season. Photo by Gordon Miller
Halloween is a favorite holiday for many in and around Waterbury. Below is a list of some of the events for the weekend and Monday when goblins of all ages will be out and about.
First, trick-or-treating.
The Waterbury Select Board on Sept. 6 unanimously approved closing half of Elm Street starting near the public parking lot and all of Randall Street on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Residents in the popular trick-or-treating neighborhood on Elm, Park Row and Randall are gearing up for Halloween ghosts, goblins, zombies and princesses. The neighborhood streets will be closed to traffic by 5 p.m.
Some houses in the neighborhood counted 800+ trick-or-treaters last year. Candy donation spots were set up at local schools and Waterbury Public Library through Friday to help collect and distribute candy to residents in the popular neighborhoods.
Also happening on Monday, the Waterbury Fire Department will host trick-or-treaters at both of its stations. Department members and volunteers will be at both the Main Street station and the Maple Street station in Waterbury Center from 5 to 7 p.m. on Halloween night. The Maple Street station will have candy and glow necklaces. Main Street will have candy, glow necklaces, and hot dogs, according to a department announcement.
Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
The Children’s Room is back with its annual Not So Scary Halloween Party planned for Saturday, Oct. 29, at Brookside Primary School’s gym, 3-5 p.m.
This candy-free event for the youngest trick-or-treaters will feature music, crafts, games, donuts on a string and a costume parade (keep the costumes not-scary, please).
Families are encouraged to bring a healthy snack to share. This free event is geared for those with children up to age 6 and older siblings are welcome to join in.
Moretown Halloween Pumpkin Walk
Lighted jack-o'lanterns line the Moretown Pumpkin Walk in 2020. Courtesy photo
The Moretown Library hosts its third annual Halloween Pumpkin Walk at the town recreation fields with a lighted jack-o’lantern display that they hope will top the past two years.
There are several parts to this event. The library has set up its Halloween Storywalk along the nature trails at the fields earlier this month. That will remain up through Oct. 31 featuring the story "A Teeny Tiny Halloween" by Lauren Wohl. People can stroll through and enjoy the story.
By now, jack-o’lanterns are being added. Community members were invited to add their carved creations at the library this past week. On Saturday, Oct. 29, there will be a pumpkin-carving party from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the library at the town hall. Bring carving tools. The library will have some pumpkins and gourds to carve, but participants are welcome to bring additional pumpkins to be carved and added. Carved pumpkins also can be dropped off on the 29th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
On Halloween, the jack-o’lanterns will be lit along the trail from 4 to 8 p.m. for the public to enjoy.
Middlesex Trunk or Treat
Happening on Oct. 31 is the Great Middlesex Trunk or Treat planned for 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Camp Meade.
Participants are invited to arrive in the vehicle of their choice – truck, van, motorcycle, sedan or bicycle – decorated for the occasion if they like. The important part is to bring treats to hand out. Trick-or-treaters are invited to dress up to collect their treats. Free event.
Contact organizer Susan Pelchar with questions at spelchar50@yahoo.com.
Pumpkin Man has been turning heads at the Davis Farm on Kneeland Flats Road. Photo by Gordon Miller
The events below were listed in the original Oct. 15 post
Spooky season is here
Halloween events stretch across two weeks
October 15, 2022 | By Waterbury RoundaboutThe 31st is more than two weeks away, but Halloween season is officially here. Numerous events are in the works for ghosts and goblins of all ages. We’ve compiled information available to date for events in and near Waterbury and will add to this post in the coming days.
Know that costumes are appropriate dress for all of the events listed here.
Super Spooky Special Storytime
The Waterbury Public Library hosts little ghosts and goblins on Thursday, Oct. 27, with a Super Spooky Storytime starting at 10:30 a.m.
Library Director Rachel Muse and Children’s Librarian Cynthia Ryle have a special Halloween party planned with spooky stories, songs and treats. Games and activities will be organized by volunteers from The Children’s Room.
Costumes are encouraged.
Waterbury Trunk or Treat
For their third year hosting this free event, the folks at E&S Transport will set up their Trunk or Treat event downtown on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Pilgrim Park.
Families are invited to attend to either trick or treat or hand out treats.
Costumes? Of course. Questions? Email estransportvt5@gmail.com.
Staff and volunteers at Ben & Jerry's Waterbury plant swap pumpkins, ice cream and Halloween treats for donations of food and cash for the Waterbury Area Food Shelf . This year’s event starts at 9 a.m. Sunday. File photo by Gordon Miller
Ben & Jerry's Annual Pumpkin Give Away
Ben & Jerry's kicks things off with the Annual Pumpkin Give Away bright and early on Sunday morning, Oct. 16, at the Waterbury ice cream factory. The event is a tradition that treats kids and families while supporting the Waterbury Area Food Shelf.
The format has changed some over the years with organizers continuing the drive-through setup they devised during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s how it works:
Starting at 9 a.m. in the lower guest parking lot, families with kids drive up with a non-perishable (or monetary) donation for the food shelf.
In exchange, they will receive a pumpkin, a goodie bag for each of the children in the vehicle, and ice cream. The latter comes in the form of a “sleeve” of 8 pints. Yes, you read that right.
“It ends when we run out of pumpkins,” explains organizer Kim Audet.
The annual event has given away thousands of pumpkins and pints and collected thousands of pounds of food and dollars for the food shelf.
Costumes are welcome.