You’re never too old to dress up for Halloween (though you might be too creepy). From CT Horror Fest last month at the Naugatuck Events Center.
SEYMOUR — Halloween is creeping up, and the town has two spooktacular events planned this weekend for Seymour boys and ghouls to get a head start on their treats.
The annual “Trunk or Treat” event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday (Oct.30) at Seymour High School, 2 Botsford Rd.
The free, family event, sponsored by the Seymour Police Department, Seymour Ambulance Association, Seymour Fire Department, Seymour Community Emergency Response Team and the Seymour Public Schools, gives kids a safe alternative to filling their treat bags with candy.
Rather than the traditional way of trick or treating door to door, kids can trick or treat from trunk to trunk.
“We hold the event so children can have a safe place in a controlled area to trick or treat,” said Seymour Schools’ Director of Security Richard Kearns. “This way, there may be less children out on dark roads that may be at risk for getting hit by a car that may not see them. It’s a fun night and it’s safe.”
According to Kearns, the event gets bigger and better each year, and outgrew its original location at Seymour Middle School in 2019 because more and more people take part each year.
COVID put the kibosh on trunk or treating last year, Kearns noted, but it’s back in a big way for 2021.
“There will be a DJ playing scary music, free hot dogs, chips, donuts, ice cream and other treats, all free to our community,” Kearns said. “We have several contests with prizes given out for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for best decorated car, best children’s costume, best carved pumpkin and new this year prizes for the best costume worn by an adult. I recommend that families come enjoy this great, free family event, sip some hot chocolate or cider by the bonfire and make new memories.”
Residents who want to participate are encouraged to come armed with lots of candy. They can set up their cars at the high school beginning at 4 p.m.
Cars will not be allowed in the parking lot once the event starts or until after the event ends. Residents can trick out the trunks of their cars with Halloween decorations, and then pass out candy to costumed kids who’ll go trunk to trunk, trolling for treats. Participants are encouraged to dress in costumes, and can also bring a carved jack-o-lantern (no candles please) to display. Those who don’t want to decorate their cars can still participate, all they have to do is pop their trunks and load it up with candy to pass out.
The event is open to Seymour kids in grades pre‑K to 8th grade, who must be accompanied by an adult. It will take place rain or shine.
For more information, contact Kearns at 203 – 888-2561 ext.1003; EMS Chief Bryan Ryan at 203 – 888-8843, ext. 3 or Community Police Officer John Oczkowski at 203 – 881-7608.
And for those who’d like to start the Halloween weekend a little earlier, the Seymour Culture & Arts Commission will host its 14th annual Downtown Trick or Treat Day from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 30) in downtown Seymour.
Kids in grades K‑5, accompanied by their parents or guardians, are invited to attend the free event, rain or shine. Several downtown streets will be closed to traffic during the event for safety’s sake. – The day’s events will kick off with a costume parade, led by the Seymour Middle School band, starting at 1 p.m.- (The parade was canceled due to weather forecast) Downtown merchants will decorate their storefronts and hand out Halloween treats to the trick or treaters, following the parade. Maps of participating stores and goodie bags will be handed out at the corner of First and Bank streets. Commission Chairwoman Judy Simpson encourages all the downtown businesses to “get into the Halloween spirit.”
“What makes this so popular is that parents love the daytime experience; it’s safe and friendly, and right in our own downtown,” said Simpson. “We enjoy doing this project to see the happy little trick or treaters all decked out in their Halloween finery.”
Interested businesses, or anyone with questions, can contact Simpson at 203 – 888-3629.
In addition to what’s going on in Seymour this weekend, here’s a few more haunted happenings around the Valley:
*Legends of Fear, 2 Saw Mill City Rd., Shelton’ Real Farm. Real Woods. Real Fear. The creepy haunted hayride returns to Fairview Farm to celebrate its 25th anniversary through Oct. 31. More info can be found online.
“Haunted Firehouse” is happening Oct. 29 in Ansonia. Click here for the deets.
*’The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ hits the big screen Oct. 30 at the Strand Theater, downtown Seymour. Tickets are $22.50, which includes a prop bag to enjoy an interactive experience. Showtime is 7 p.m. and you can learn more by visiting Strand Theater on Facebook.
*Trick or Treat at the Derby Neck Library, located at 307 Hawthorne Ave. in Derby. Costumed kids will receive a goodie bag from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31 and a chance to win an even bigger prize during a Halloween raffle. For more information visit Derby Neck Library on the web.
*Corn Maze at Wells Hollow Creamery through Oct. 31, located at 2 Beard Saw Mill Rd., Shelton. Navigate through this year’s themed corn maze, “Rocktober;” visit farm animals, enjoy ice cream and homemade apple pie a la mode. Times are Friday and Saturday 6:30 — 9:30 p.m. (last group in at 9 p.m.) and Sundays 6:30 — 8:30 p.m. (last group in at 8 p.m.). Cost is $15 per person, children (under 3) free. Visit Wells Hollow Creamery for more info.
