Halloween Safe Zone is Back
By City Journal Staff at March 27, 2024 | 6:15 pm | Print
The New Britain City Journal began the Halloween Safe Zone event in downtown New Britain in 2012 and will once again lead the event in 2014.
After the newspaper reported news stories regarding Former Mayor Tim O’Brien’s administration, he took the event away from the City Journal in 2013 making it a City event, paid by taxpayers, instead.
On Wednesday, Mayor Erin Stewart announced the City Journal would once again be in charge of the event.
“We should not be taking away from other organizations that want to come in and hold events like this that do good for the community. We don’t need to monopolize everything. The City does not need to be the one who does this,” said Mayor Erin Stewart. “I applaud the City Journal and want to encourage other residents or business owners who may be thinking about doing events like this to do it. The City does not have to sponsor City wide events.”
Robin Vinci, editor and owner of the City Journal, said she will once again make Halloween about the children and not a political event.
“We just want the kids of New Britain to have a great time on Halloween,” Vinci said. “We are excited to host an event the City can be proud of each year.”
In 2012 about 5,000 residents turned out receiving candy from businesses and taking part in a costume parade.
Gerry Amodio, Executive Director of the Downtown District, who was among several in the City that helped organize the event said, “Robin’s passion and love of Halloween is what got this thing started to begin with. Having worked with her and seeing what she was able to do on a skin flint budget, I am very happy to have her back leading the charge.”
Vinci said it was important that the entire community feels they are part of the event.
“We really want to get downtown businesses involved. We have more going on downtown than people realize,” said Vinci. “Organizing this year’s event will begin in the next few weeks. Everyone is invited to come and play a role.”
“I am excited for the City Journal to have it back. It will be a great event and it is an awesome event for the paper,” said Stewart. “It will be just as good, if not, better than last year.”
