CHICOPEE — Chicopee will once again be rolling out the orange carpet for its annual Halloween Spooktacular event on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 4-7 p.m. at Szot Park, 687 Front St.
The event is free to attend. The rain date will be Oct. 24.
Community and Special Projects Liaison Monica Torres talked about the upcoming Spooktacular with Reminder Publishing.
Guests are encouraged to bring and wear their “wildest costume, biggest smile and a bag that can handle a serious candy haul.
Each year, Spooktacular also highlights the amazing young talent in Chicopee. Local dance studios and school bands will take the stage throughout the evening, entertaining the crowd and showcasing the energy and creativity of the city’s youth.
The city will once again be partnering with Chicopee Fresh to provide a free meal of hot dogs, chips and water for attendees.
Guests can also expect plenty of candy from a variety of vendors and a night full of community pride and laughter.
Torres stated, “This year’s Spooktacular promises to be a fun, family-friendly celebration filled with festive activities, community connection, and of course, plenty of candy.”
The event brings together local resource vendors and community stakeholders who look forward to this annual tradition as an opportunity to engage with families, share valuable information and ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween experience for everyone.
With the event going on for many years providing a safe and fun spot for families to enjoy, Torres talked more about the community involvement of the event.
“Spooktacular thrives on community involvement,” Torres said, “Local organizations, schools and businesses come together each year to create a festive, welcoming environment that reflects Chicopee’s strong community spirit. Our vendors play a huge role by contributing treats, decorating their spaces, and connecting directly with families to share helpful information and resources.”
Besides the community involvement, Spooktacular also provides a safe space for families to enjoy the Halloween season and learn important safety skills about trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
Torres said, “Spooktacular is more than just a Halloween event, it’s a citywide initiative to promote candy safety and pedestrian awareness while giving families a safe space to celebrate. By hosting everything in one venue, the city ensures children can enjoy the holiday in a controlled, fun environment surrounded by neighbors, police, and fire personnel who care deeply about their safety.”
For anyone who has not been to the event before, Torres said first-timers can prepare for a Halloween party like no other.
“Families can look forward to a night full of excitement and creativity. From decorated booths and costumed vendors to performances by local dance studios and school bands, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Kids will have the chance to safely trick-or-treat, explore displays of haunted buses, trucks, and emergency vehicles, and meet Chicopee’s first responders, all in one convenient and secure location,” Torres said.
