HOLDEN — As Halloween decorations go up and trick-or-treaters discuss what costumes they will be wearing for the candy-collecting day, Holden is preparing its annual event that precedes the actual Oct. 31 activities.
Halloween in Holden will be held Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“More businesses are participating than ever before,” Town Manager Peter Lukes said.
Numerous events and participants will make the town center an active place that day.
Businesses have traditionally showed off their decorating skills and offered Halloween activities, turning Main Street into a spectacle featuring community creativity with fun and treats the focus of the day.
“This year we have over 40 store fronts that will be participating, along with other organizations set up on the lawn in front of the Senior Center and across from the library where the farmers market usually is,” Angela Greene, acting recreation director, said of the plans.
“In the past, it has been a very popular event, and it has grown each year. I am very pleased with how receptive the community has been and how excited the businesses are to participate,” Greene said. “Last year was a perfect fall day, so there were many families that came out to participate. The Recreation Department had 500 pieces of candy and ran out before the event was over. If the weather is like last year, we are anticipating close to 1,000 children,” Greene said.
There will be no shortage of candy around town.
The Gale Free Library is participating, and all three floors are slated to show off the Halloween theme and hand out candy, Greene said.
The Public Safety building will be holding a Trunk-or-Treat behind the building from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The town clerk’s office will be handing out candy while holding Early Voter Registration in the Town Hall.
Sports groups will be gathered across from the library, with many of the youth sports organizations as well as representatives from the WooSox, Worcester Pirates and Worcester Railers.
A regular participant, the Red Barn, is holding Halloween Fun at the Red Barn from 3 to 5 p.m. on the grounds at 52 Shrewsbury St. with no entry fee. Activities will include a Halloween costume parade, create-a-scarecrow, pumpkin roll, decorate a pumpkin and more. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
At the bandstand, entertainment will be provided by The Wachusett Jazz band (11 to 11:30 a.m.) and Chad Clements (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
Ryleigh Modig, who was a contestant on The Voice, will perform from 2 to 4 p.m.
Many businesses will have handouts or activities.
For example, WachuMakin will have several activities. Purposeful Play will have a children’s sensory activity center set up. The Boy Scouts will be raising money by offering face painting, and the store itself will be offering children’s workshops throughout the day for a small fee.
The list continues to grow, encouraged by the Recreation Department.
The town’s Economic Development Committee is getting in on the action, and will staff a table in front of the bandstand by the Senior Center, Lukes said.
Lukes will be taking a different role this year, manning the baseball table, the first time he will not be in a traditional costume, he said — unless the coaching uniform counts.
Updated information will be posted on the town website and Facebook pages for the town and Holden Recreation.
The Select Board is slated to set Halloween hours at the board’s meeting Oct. 17.
“It’s going to be a great event this year, the biggest one yet,” Lukes said.
