By
Pam Johnson, Courier Senior Staff Writer:
With
several Halloween happenings set to take place right into Oct. 31, there’s
really no excuse for Guilford
residents to miss out on the fun this year. Here’s some information on the
town’s high-profile Halloween events, together with some words from those
working hard to make Halloween happen.
Holidaze
Perhaps
the earliest Halloween celebration to launch this year is the Holidaze exhibit
at the Henry Whitfield House
State Museum.
Open Wednesday through Sunday since Oct. 8, Holidaze helps tell the “real story
of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas,” said Michael McBride, Museum
Director. “Holidaze goes back in time to uncover the namesake of the
jack-o-lantern and the mystery of who decided a witch’s skin is green.
On
Oct. 25, a special event, “Ghosts, Goblins, and Gargoyles” invites adventurous
spirits to venture into the darkened Old Stone House (even the basement), to
find what lurks behind the formidable stone walls built in 1639.
For
those who prefer to shed a bit more light on the experience, “Ghosts” opens at
10 a.m. (it ends at 7 p.m.) Included with admission ($4 adults, $3 seniors,
$2.50 kids) are mini-craft Halloween projects and mini-exhibits on the Guilford
Green’s graveyard history and a Whitfield connection to the Salem witch trails. In the holiday spirit,
bring non-perishable food donations for the Guilford Food Bank, coins for
UNICEF, or donate a new, unwrapped toy.
Haunted
Hayride
This
year’s Haunted Hayride, co-sponsored by Guilford Parks
and Recreation and the Guilford Agricultural Society, will be one of the best
to date, promises Recreation Supervisor Ellen Clow.
“I
am really looking forward to the event. So many groups and people are coming
together to make the Haunted Hayride bigger and better,” said Clow.
This
year’s one-night ride is set for Saturday, Oct. 25, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Guilford
Fairgrounds on Lovers Lane
(rain site, Guilford
Community Center). Clow
said the response to requests for groups to build spooky sets for the hayride
has been the best to date, fueled by an announcement that entrants have a
chance to win up $500 for the best scene.
Guests
will be hauled on a hay wagon past haunted sets with live-action surprises
(without the gore). Riders of all ages are welcome to be on the lookout for
pirates, Frankenstein, the Bates Hotel of Psycho fame, witches, a mad
scientist’s lab, a haunted bus, and more. A $3 per person fee ($10 per family)
helps cover event costs.
Groups
vying to build the best Haunted Hayride scene include Branford Parks and
Recreation, Uncle Guido’s, Moroso Performance, 4-H Club, Guilford Agricultural
Society, STA Bus Co., Backstage Players, Adams MS National Junior Honor
Society, Lakeside Feed, and the GHS Cheerleading Squad.
Family
Fun Day
A Guilford tradition for
more than a decade, Family Fun Day is a free event to help chaperoned
youngsters safely celebrate Halloween. It’s sponsored by Guilford Youth and
Family Services (GYFS), with support from the Community Mobilization Team and Guilford Parks and Recreation. This year’s day is
set for Sunday, Oct. 26, 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the Community Center on Church Street.
“Kids
can come in costume if they like, but they don’t have to,” said GYFS Assistant
Director Claire Keenan. “They love painting the pumpkins and the other
activities we have for them.”
Free
face painting, caricatures, and ice cream sundaes will help kick off the party.
After sundaes are served at 1:30 p.m., pumpkin painting, goody bag decorating,
and other Halloween crafts follow along with activities with the Guilford Boy
Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Halloween
Parade
Now
in its third year, the annual Halloween Parade around the Town Green draws
hundreds of costumed marchers (more than 300 in 2007). It takes place on Oct.
31 before most kids set off for a night of trick-or-treating. Organized by
volunteer Cheilaugh Garvey, this year’s parade is Friday, Oct. 31, 5 to 5:30
p.m.
A
past member of Guilford Parks and Recreation Commission and past president of
Guilford PTA, Garvey instituted the town parade in 2006 with help from several
local agencies and volunteers. Garvey’s goal is to help kids enjoy a small-town
experience many of their parents may recall: marching in a school-aged
Halloween parade.
“I’ve
had lots of people asking me if we’re having a parade again this year. A lot of
people want their kids to have this experience,” said Garvey.
A
costume contest (optional) takes place in the St. George Church Hall on
Whitfield Street at 5 p.m. That’s where all marchers should gather, added
Garvey.
“They
don’t have to participate in the contest, but we’ll have prizes for different
age groups and categories…like silly, scary, most original,” said Garvey, who
came to last year’s parade as the Bride of Frankenstein.
The
parade steps off from St. George’s post-contest, led by the GHS Sports Band
(directed by Mark Gahm). It travels the sidewalks around the Town Green.
“It’s
a great Halloween event. It’s all about looking at each other’s costumes and
marching in the parade. It ends at 5:30 p.m., so kids will have plenty of time
to go trick or treating afterward,” said Garvey.
Other Local Halloween Happenings
Guilford
Keeping Society’s Costume Party
Sunday,
Oct. 26, 4 to 6 p.m.
Medad
Stone Tavern, 197 Three Mile Course
Music,
games, contests, prizes, and refreshments
Free
will donations welcome; call 453-2500 for details
Women
and Family Life Center’s Halloween Party
Friday,
Oct. 31
96
Fair Street
Call
458-6699 for details
Make
Your Own Scarecrow
Saturday
and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26
Bishops
Orchards, 1355 Boston Post Road
Contribution
$10, proceeds benefit the Community Dining Room
Guilford’s
3rd Annual Howl-o-Ween Doggie Costume Parade
Sunday,
Oct. 26, noon
Town
Green, at PAWS by the Green, 14 Water Street
Rain
date: Nov. 2
Pictured: Guilford Halloween event organizers like volunteer
Cheilaugh Garvey (leader of the town’s sidewalk Halloween Parade around the
Green, Oct. 31) have been hard at work putting together Halloween happenings in
Guilford.
Photo
by Pam Johnson