Halloween 2021
Rain didn't dampen Halloween spirit in Waterbury this year as trick-or-treaters took to the streets with umbrellas and rain gear. The fire stations were busy as Waterbury firefighters handed out candy, hot dogs and glow necklaces. Randall, Elm and Park Row closed to traffic for a couple of hours as goblins, monsters, witches, princesses and superheroes went doo-to-door. Residents there welcomed the holiday bustle for the first time since 2019 after skipping the tradition last year due to the pandemic.
Costumes ruled at the free Halloween skate party at the Ice Center with games and prizes donated by local businesses.
Some local residents embrace the holiday with elaborate decorations each year. Rich Wilbur on South Main Street didn’t disappoint. Jeff Cavender’s ghoulish display in Waterbury Center delighted and frightened neighbors and trick-or-treaters who dared to make it to his front door.
A gigantic pumpkin took up residence for a few weeks at Stowe Street Café with a challenge for people to guess its weight. The café announced that a visitor named Jarrod from Rhode Island came closest of the 124 entries guessing 1,181 lbs. Grown by chef Stephanie Biczko and later carved into a lion by artist Rachel Laundon, "Rosie" as it was named after café owner Nicole Grenier’s daughter, tipped the scales at 1,152 lbs. Jarrod, according to folks at the café, donated the $25 café gift certificate to the Waterbury Area Food Shelf.
Documentary filmmaker Ben Willis and his family recently moved to Waterbury. He made this short film in one day as Randall Street residents set up to celebrate Halloween after a 2020 hiatus due to the pandemic. See more of Willis’ work at vermontcast.com.