Halloween will have one great big treat this year, and it’s not chocolate or sugar, but it’s still sweet.
The colossal Halloween celebration this year will make a return to the fully-renovated Training Field after having been displaced for one year due to construction work on the park last Halloween. And yes, Mother Goose and the Pirates Cove and the other characters will re-assume their normal positions in the new Training Field.
Bunker Hill Day may reign as the top holiday in the Town, but close behind that has become Halloween. Once again this year, Charlestown residents and friends will celebrate together at the largest and one of the most beloved community events, on Halloween, October 31, for the 31st Annual Halloween Parade and festivities – beginning at 5 p.m. and initiating the Monument Parade at 5:30 p.m.
“We appreciate the collaboration of the National Park Service and The City of Boston to make this event a safe, fun and memorable holiday for all ages.,” said long-time coordinator Diane Valle. “This is such a coming together of the entire community in order to have a great celebration where everyone pitches in and everyone gives of themselves to make a tremendous and safe time for the kids of Charlestown.”
Trick or treaters and other ghouls and witches gather at the Monument at 5 p.m. for Halloween songs sung by The Warren Prescott School Choir. The Charlestown Mothers Association (CMA) will pass out glow in the dark necklaces, and have fun decorations. There are special guests expected to attend, and the Monument Square Wizard Bruce Garr will recite his annual Trick or Treat Poem.
At 5:30 p.m., The Tony Barrie Marching Band will lead the Costume Parade around Monument Square. The Charlestown Militia will evoke the spirit of Colonel Prescott, and the Zuccarini family will re-enact historic ghosts, such as Sarah Josepha Hale and her friends.
After the Parade, the generous Monument Square neighbors will have goodies for all. The Parade will continue to the newly-renovated Training Field.
“Again this year, we will include the Teal Pumpkin Project, an organization that helps to support families with food allergies, as well as other medical problems, by asking home owners to offer non-food treats as an option in addition to the regular Halloween fare,” said Valle. “Houses on the trick or treating route simply post a free flyer on their door or display a teal pumpkin outside their home.”
At the Training Field, the children will be delighted with The Cooperative Bank’s ‘Not So Scary Exhibit,’ the indomitable Doug MacDonald’s Inflatable Creations, George Morton’s Charlestown’s Pirates Cove, Legal Seafood’s Witches Brew, Whole Foods display, a CharlestownDogs exhibit, DJ Smokey Cain’s music, Charlestown’s own Mother Goose, Rosemary Kverick, The Most Beautiful Glinda Lynne Enos, Turn It Around’s display, Spindrift seltzer water, music from Diabolis in Musica, and more. Naturally, there will also be hordes of opportunities to trick or treat around the The Training Field, Monument Avenue and the surrounding streets.
Valle said organizers are grateful to the generosity of The City of Boston, Mayor Martin J Walsh, US Congressman Michael Capuano, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, Councilor Sal LaMattina, Parks Commissioner Christopher Cook, Charlestown Mother’s Association, CHAD, Massport, Sarah & Eric Maloy and The First Church of Charlestown, Monument Avenue volunteers, Bill Foley, The US Navy, Boys & Girls Club, Diversified Auto, Thompson Square Partners LLC, Mishawum Assisted Living Associates, Bunker Hill Associates, Bright Horizons, The TF Patriots and so many more kind and wonderful sponsors and volunteers.
She said advanced thank yous go out to Event Coordinator Extraordinaire Molly Zuccarini, Steve Bickerton, Marcia & Rhett Alden, Ed Katz, Lawrence Rinaldi, Rachel Cuomo, Dana Kirby, Sean Hennessey, Jim Hauser, Megan Baxter, Ellen McLaughlin, Emilie Baker and Teal Halloween, Patience Bundshuh, Logan House Condo Association, Eric and Jane Philippi, residents and sponsors.
“We hope all ages will dress in costume,” concluded Valle. “There will be special surprises on every corner. Join the fun at 5 p.m. on Monday, October 31.”