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10/19/2021 01:38 PMWith the return of many traditional events after a hiatus due to COVID, the Town of East Haven wanted to continue the momentum by adding a Halloween event. The staff at the Mayor’s Office began to brainstorm ideas and the inaugural Boo Bash was created.
East Haven was one of few communities that held COVID-safe outdoor events during the summer of 2020 and has continued to host gatherings since then.
“Our town is a close community and events like this bring people together,” said Mayor Joe Carfora. “East Haven led the way this summer in events for our residents and we plan on continuing this through the months ahead. The feedback we have received has been positive and people want more opportunities to gather with their neighbors. The Boo Bash is a new idea we are bringing to East Haven and we have some more new ideas for the spring.”
The Boo Bash event include activities for all ages beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 (rain date is Saturday, Oct. 30) on the East Haven Town Green and conclude with a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 7 p.m.
“The mayor’s office wanted to host a Halloween movie night on the green and that idea sparked the idea to hold a fall and Halloween themed event for all ages leading up the movie showing,” said Michelle Benivegna, assistant director of administration and management. “The movie selection is more for an older audience so we wanted to have activities for families to take part in earlier in the day.”
The free event is funded by grant monies as well as funds allocated in the town’s annual budget. In addition, various groups stepped up to sponsor stations for children’s activities, which will be held from 4 to 6 p.m.
Stations include a photo booth sponsored by the East Haven Garden Club, pumpkin painting sponsored by the Recreation Department, corn hole and a witch hat toss sponsored by Town Hall, inflatables and an inflatable obstacle course sponsored by the Youth Commission, a bonfire and s’mores sponsored by the Lions Club, and trolley rides sponsored by the Shore Line Trolley Museum.
“The support by local organizations has been wonderful. The organizations in East Haven are always willing to support the events we host,” said Benivegna. “This event is a town-sponsored event, but I reached out to a few organizations to ask for assistance to help man the stations and from there, the offers to lend a hand kept coming. We now have many civic groups manning the activities.”
There will be a costume contest held from 6 to 7 p.m. complete with judges and prizes. All participants will receive a coupon for a free cupcake to Petonito’s Bakery. Many local businesses have donated gift certificates, which will be awarded to the winners in the specific categories.
Age groups are children (ages 0 to 12), teens (12-18), adults (18-54), and seniors (55 and up). Categories include best all-around, scariest, most original, funniest, and best adult “Rocky Horror” themed (18 and older). The costume contest even extends to pets with Petonito’s supplying dog treats as prizes.
“East Haven has amazing community partners in our business owners and without their support, events like this couldn’t take place,” said Carfora. “The support from our local businesses has been overwhelming. They have been instrumental supporting the town’s initiatives to bring our community together. My administration is working on planning more events that will bring the community together.”
Trunk or Treat
On Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 31, the East Haven Rotary Club will host its second annual Trunk or Treat from 4 to 7 p.m. with a rain date of Monday, Nov. 1. Due to the popularity of the event, a second location has been added. This year, Trunk or Treat will be held at Kennedy Field in Foxon, 1 Maple Avenue, East Haven at “the Pit,” as well as the parking lot of the Town Beach, 80 Cosey Beach Avenue, East Haven.
The Rotary’s Trunk or Treat committee includes Joan Adamczyk, Ann Pennington, and Erika Santiago, as well as Cheryl Panzo, president of the East Haven Rotary. There are currently nearly three dozen trunks registered to participate with more registrations coming in every day. Many of the trunks are sponsored by local organizations.
In addition to being able to Trunk or Treat, each location will have some special events. There will be a movie and games at the Foxon location and Panzo noted there will be “a few top-secret surprises” at the beach.
“People really like having a safe place for their children in one area and responded at how well the event was organized last year,” said Panzo.
For information on the Boo Bash, Michelle Benivegna at 203-468-3371. For information on Trunk or Treat, email easthavenrotary17@gmail.com.