Photo credit: Moments by Andrea Photography
This is an installment from contributing writer Tara Thompson, president of the Wilton Newcomers Club, providing news and information about WNC events and activities, as well as a look at life in Wilton life from the point of view of a newcomer.
Wilton is a town with large lots, long driveways and few sidewalks. Among my many questions our first year in Wilton was: How would we celebrate Halloween in our new town?
Thankfully, we discovered that Halloween is eagerly celebrated here throughout much of October, and with lots of enthusiasm by all! Whether you’re a Newcomer or a long-time resident of Wilton, there’s something for everyone.
Here is a list of festivities for Halloween 2014:
Saturday, October 18
Fright Night, Ambler Farm, 6-8 p.m.: Drop off the kids (grades 3-5) for haunted activities and frightful (and not so frightful) storytelling. Refreshments included. Enrollment limited, advance registration required via the Ambler Farm website. $20 per child for members, $25 per child for non-members. (Friday night sold out)
Sunday, October 19
Wilton Newcomers Club Fall Celebration, Merwin Meadows, 2-3 p.m.: Enjoy apple cider, doughnuts, and pumpkin decorating. Free for members, $10 for nonmember families. Register via the Wilton Newcomers Club wesbiste.
Landmark Preschool Pumpkin Playdate, 1-3 p.m.: Rain or shine for children ages 1-5 years. Free activities, including pumpkin patch & decorating, photo spot, playground, cider, doughnuts and more. (20 Portland Avenue, Redding)
Friday, October 24
Family Howl Prowl, Woodcock Nature Center (SOLD OUT): Journey down the driveway on a fall hayride, and spend some time doing fun-filled night time activities. Between activities, participants can warm themselves by a roaring fire in the pavilion and enjoy s’mores. Food and beverages will be available for sale. Families can register to arrive at 5, 5:30, 6 or 6:30 p.m.. The cost per family (immediate family only please) for this fundraiser is $40 (individuals are $20 each).
SPOOKTACULAR at the Wilton Family YMCA, 6:30-8:30pm: Activities will Include: Trick-or-Treating around the Y, a Haunted House, a scavenger hunt, face painting, and the Scholastic Book Fair! Admission: $2 per child, pizza available for $5 per person, popcorn $1 per bag.
Saturday October 25
Pumpkin Parade, and Trick-or-Treating in Wilton Center, 12-2 p.m.: Gather your costumed chums and meet at the Gazebo at 12 p.m.. Trick-or-treat bags will be given to the first 200 wee goblins at the gazebo to collect the candy that Wilton Center shops will be handing out! (Sponsored by the Wilton Chamber of Commerce)
3rd Annual Halloween Portrait Fundraiser for the Wilton Interfaith Fund, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Wilton photographer Andrea Topalian of Moments by Andrea Photography and the Wilton Chamber of Commerce host this fundraiser every year. (see the article’s main image.) Halloween portraits are free at the decorated Gazebo during the Halloween parade to everyone who donates $20 or more, and there’s also a prize raffle. All the proceeds–100 percent!–are being donated to the Wilton Interfaith Fund via Wilton Social Services–last year, $2,000 was raised in three hours! Prizes have already been donated by Wilton businesses–Fraiche Hair Salon, Conservatory of Dance, the Painted Cookie CT, Canine Company, GOOD Morning Wilton, Southern Yankee, LLC and Moments by Andrea Photography.
Wilton Newcomers Club Halloween Bash, 8 p.m.: Leave the kids at home and get spooky with new friends! Free, please BYOB and an appetizer or dessert for six. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary. RSVP by Friday, Oct. 24 via the Wilton Newcomers Club website.
Sunday, October 26
Halloween Hustle 5K + Scarecrow Scamper Kids’ Run, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Dust off the sneakers & join Wilton neighbors for an active, healthy fall run on Halloween weekend! Participants are encouraged to don a spooky, madcap or “boo”-tiful Halloween costume! Awards for runners and prizes for the best individual and group costumes will be announced after the race. Halloween Hustle 5K: Adults, $25, $30 after Oct. 17; Goblins 12 & Under, $10. Scarecrow Scamper Kids’ Run: Goblins 12 & Under, $10. Visit the Wilton Chamber website for more information and to register.
Trackside Teen Center ‘Trunk or Treat,’ 4-6 p.m.: Tour the haunted house indoors, then trick-or-treat outside in the parking lot, whether you park and offer candy to trick-or-treaters or not, (but all participants are welcome). Refreshments will also be available for purchase. Fun for everyone! Cost for haunted house only: $5 per child, $10 per family.
Wednesday, October 29
BYOP! (Bring Your Own Pumpkin!) To Carve and Decorate, Wilton Historical Society, 4-5 p.m.: Avoid the mess at home! Carve and decorate a grinning Halloween Pumpkin in the red 1860 Abbott Barn at the Wilton Historical Society. Join museum educator Allison Reznik as she leads a fun Halloween pumpkin carving session for children and their adults. Participants bring their own pumpkin, and the Wilton Historical Society will supply carving tools, craft materials, cider and cookies! Suggested for ages 8 and up, not a drop off program. $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Please register by email education@wiltonhistorical.org or call 203.762.7257
Friday, October 31
Wilton Library presents It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!, 10-30-11 a.m. and 2:30-3 p.m.: Free admission.
Halloween Face Painting at Wilton Library, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Come to the Children’s desk to get your face painted! You can be spooky or funny, whatever you like. No registration, no fee; ages 2 and up.
Trunk or Treat at Hope Church, 240 Wolfpit Rd., 5-7:30 p.m.: A safe and fun trick-or-treating experience for all ages! Free hot food, snacks, donuts and cider. Crafts, games, a movie and a camp fire! Interested in decorating your trunk? Email Kim.karus@hopechurchct.org.
Georgetown Fire Department, 6-8:30 p.m.: Celebrate Halloween with true neighborhood heroes! Clown and goody bags await! Free & open to all.
If there’s an event we’ve missed, be sure to let us know at editor@goodmorningwilton.com.