Halloween in Waterbury
October 31, 2023 | By Lisa ScagliottiThe weather forecast is chilly but dry for trick-or-treaters to hit the sidewalks and pavement tonight in search of Halloween treats.
The South Main Street Halloween Big Bad Wolf and friends are ready for trick-or-treat. This year’s pumpkin didn’t make it, however. Photos by Lisa Scagliotti
Across town, many neighborhoods have decorated homes and yards, giving the signal that welcomes trick-or-treaters. Downtown neighborhoods are typically most popular and residents and organizations are prepared with a variety of treats to dole out.
Here’s a rundown of the festivities:
Randall-Elm-Park Row
Middle school friends Fletcher Ayers and Yoshwin Antony distribute candy donations to Randall Street neighbors ahead of Halloween on Monday. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
The neighborhood along Randall and Elm streets and Park Row is decked out in ghoulish Halloween style and residents are ready to greet trick-or-treaters.
On Monday afternoon, volunteer Jeremy Ayers along with his son Fletcher and neighbor Yoshwin Antony, distributed bags of candy collected at local schools, the library and market. The seventh graders hopped off the back of Ayers’ pickup to drop candy bags on front porches and hand them off to thankful neighbors.
Many local residents contributed to the supply shared among the downtown neighbors in preparation for the annual congregation of ghosts, goblins and more that will visit tonight.
The streets in the neighborhood will be blocked off to vehicle traffic starting at 4 p.m. Parking is available at the State Office Complex lots near the intersection of Park Row and Randall Street. Halloween visitors are asked to leave their dogs at home.
Fire stations
Waterbury Fire Department will have members at both Main Street and Maple Street fire stations tonight starting at 5 p.m. They are looking forward to all of the costumes and will have candy and glow necklaces to hand out at both locations. The downtown station will also have hot dogs - while supplies last, of course.
American Legion
Over on Stowe Street at the American Legion Post #59, auxiliary members will have a table set up with candy treats and plan to greet trick-or-treaters passing through.
Zenbarn
Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
The folks at Zenbarn have a night of entertainment planned with the Grateful Dead/Steely Dan tribute band Steely Dead playing two sets. The doors open at 4:30 p.m. for the first set from 5 to 6 p.m. that’s free and billed as a kid-friendly Halloween party with treats. Costumes are encouraged.
The second set for “all souls” starts at 7 p.m. with a $20 cover charge. Same goes on costumes for adults.
A national touring band, Steely Dead hails from Denver and is comprised of four musicians playing from the original bands’ classic canon on guitar, bass, drums and keys. More information and tickets are online here.