Family and friends of Unity Dance Spectrum of Chicopee enjoy the Halloween Spooktacular at Szot Park in 2024.
Reminder Publishing file photo
CHICOPEE — With spooky season officially upon us, Chicopee will once again roll out the orange carpet for its annual Halloween SPOOKtacular event on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 4-7 p.m. at Sarah Jane Sherman Park at 21 Vivian St.
The event is free to attend, according to Special Projects Liaison Rachel Beaudoin, and will feature haunted vehicles and more than 60 vendors.
“We have some new faces joining us, as well as many returning favorites. We’re excited to see the creativity that our vendors bring, from their decorations to their costumes,” Beaudoin said.
Guests are encouraged to wear their wildest costume and bring a bag for candy. Guests can expect plenty of candy from a variety of vendors and a night full of community pride and laughter, the city said.
Beaudoin said one of her favorite things about the annual Halloween event is seeing how unique the costumes are each year.
“The matching costumes, the creativity, the cuteness, it’s so much fun to see everyone’s personalities come through and watch families enjoy themselves,” Beaudoin stated. “It’s one of the things that makes SPOOKtacular so special.”
After years of hosting the event at Szot Park, the city wanted to bring it to the recently refurbished Sarah Jane Park, Beaudoin said.
“Why not take the opportunity to show off the newly renovated park during one of our city’s beloved Halloween traditions? We’re excited to unveil this beautiful new park to our community,” she said. “It also gives us a chance to bring this event to a different neighborhood and serve another part of our community, which makes us especially excited to host SPOOKtacular there this year.”
The event brings together local resource vendors and community stakeholders to engage with families, share valuable information and ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween experience for everyone.
Beaudoin said it also provides a safe space for families to enjoy the Halloween season and learn important trick-or-treating safety skills for Halloween night.
“As the mayor says, safety is paramount, and that is exactly why SPOOKtacular is so important. It gives families a chance to come out and enjoy a fun-filled community night while celebrating Halloween in a safe and welcoming environment,” Beaudoin explained. “Families don’t have to worry about traffic, darkness or some of the other safety concerns that can come with traditional trick-or-treating. They can simply come together, have fun and enjoy the holiday as a community.”
Beaudoin added that first-timers can prepare for a Halloween party like no other.
“We hope everyone can join us for an amazing night. We’re looking forward to celebrating Halloween with our community and welcoming everyone to SPOOKtacular at Sarah Jane Park,” she said.
For any questions, readers can call the mayor’s office at 594-1500.
