Halloween Safe Zone Trick or Treat Next Friday
By City Journal Staff at October 24, 2023 | 10:00 am | Print
The ghosts and the goblins will be in downtown New Britain in full force next Friday, Oct. 31 to celebrate Halloween.
The Annual Halloween Festival kicks off at 4:30 p.m. from West Main and Washington Streets through Main St. Areas will be cordoned off for the event and free parking is available in the parking garages.
The YWCA Dancers will perform “Thriller” near Central Park at 4:30, 4:45, 5 and 5:15 p.m. Yousef Tae Kwon Do will give a demonstration around 5:30 p.m.
DJ “Be Easy” will be playing Halloween appropriate music and the master of ceremonies will be Stephen Hard.
There will be over 15 businesses handing out candy. A preliminary map is on page 5, but those participating will have a big orange plastic cone in front of the area. Booths will include the New Britain Little League, Jaws Pawn, SolarCity, South Church and the Girl Scouts. Volunteers are asked to be at the Downtown District at 3:30 p.m. that night.
At Anvil Place, Community Central will have crafts and activities and possibly a photo booth. A haunted house may also take place at the Downtown District.
At 6:30 p.m. there will be a costume parade with at least six prizes given out including Gift Certificates from Amato’s Toy and Hobby along with the Mayor’s Prize. Please gather near the DJ at Central Park for that event. At 6:15 candy will stop being passed out so everyone can gather at Central Park.
“I am more excited than ever about this year’s event,” said Robin Vinci, founder, editor of the New Britain City Journal and organizer along with Gerry Amodio, executive director of the downtown district. “We have had so many great organizations and people get involved this year. This is a great opportunity to show off our City.”
Fire trucks, EMS, police cars and more will be on display. Characters from Little Poland and the New Britain Bee will be walking around taking photos with children.
On Friday, Oct. 24 from 9 p.m. to 2 p.m. there will be an Adult Halloween Party at Frosty Mug, 269 Beaver St., benefitting this event. Cost is $5 or 5 lbs of candy to enter.
Roma Restaurant is our Superhero Sponsor, The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Forsty Mug and Jasko Development are Vampire Sponsors. Heidi Parchmann and Dunkin’ Donuts on Main St. are Zombie sponsors. Amato’s Toys and Hobby, Don Naples, Lorraine Vinci and Dennis Buden are Friendly Ghost sponsors.
Other sponsors include Pat Rutkowski, Judy Martell Rosario, Mike Wanik, Diane Domejczyk, Mayor Erin Stewart, Nick Mercier, Donna Hooker, Gennaro Bizzaro, Denise McNair, Linda Strajkowski, Gerry and Lisa Amodio, Catherine Cheney and Susan Fahey.
Security is graciously provided by the New Britain Police Department and the New Britain Community Service Officers.
“We are coming up with new ideas each and every day so don’t be surprised if even more takes place,” said Vinci. “I personally want to thank each sponsor for helping us with this take place. It is purely a community event.”
One thousand Glow in the Dark commemorative Halloween bracelets will be handed out to children and Dunkin Donuts will give out donut holes to a number of trick or treaters.
The committee is also looking for more donations through gofundme.com. Anyone can go to http://www.gofundme.com/99w0s8 and donate or bring a check or candy to the Downtown District, 66 Main St.
The event will be canceled in the event of heavy rain.
