Tricks, treats, and a few surprises

Halloween festival draws scores of costumed people downtown

MIDDLETOWN — The South Green was transformed into a child’s delight: an activityladen celebration of the fall season, replete with games of chance, magic, face painting, seasonal treats, Halloweenthemed music — and even a few “frightful” sights.

The latter came in the form of flash mobs courtesy of the Lakeside Academy of Dance students, who gave impromptu performances of ghoulish proportions, leading off with a dance of the “undead” to Róisín Murphy’s song “Ramalama (Bang Bang).”

The downtown trick or treat was held Saturday, allowing children to

pick up candy, promotional items, and other “treats” from participating businesses at any of 100 stops along both sides of Main Street.

The celebration began about a decade ago with a costume parade down Main Street, according to Recreation Supervisor Karen Nocera.

“It evolved every year,” she said.

“We were lucky because I ordered a nice day. Somebody listened,” Nocera said with a laugh, taking in the brisk temperatures and strong sun Saturday as she strolled along the street in costume, making sure everything ran smoothly.

“It’s been phenomenal,” said Nocera, who was pleased to see this signature event has become such a popular alternative to trick or treating on Halloween night.

“It’s daylight, it’s not cold, we’re outside. I just think this is safer,” said Nocera, whose grandchildren were enjoying themselves among the festivities.

Over on the lawn, there were several pens of farm animals from East Hampton’s Circle K Farm.

Owner Mary Krogh was allowing children to feed oneoftheramswitha bottle filled with water. Each one had his and her hands full holding the container steady as the animal drank voraciously.

Little Jack the goat was in attendance, greeting the young ones, alongside his fellow barn animals. Turns out, he’s a star.

About a month ago, Krogh said, Little Jack was hired by the owner of a Manhattan high rise to come to the rooftop of a man’s building to help romanticize his proposal.

The client made a heart out of tea lights, filled it with rose petals, put Little Jack in the center and then proposed to his beloved.

“She was blown away — she really was. They had a professional photographer, and they caught a picture of the hands like this (Krogh cupped her palms), with Little Jack touching the diamond,” she said.

Krogh also owns Fancy Pants, the Yard Goats mascot.

Two of her llamas, Lillie Mae and Chester, who were greeting costumed kids in the enclosure behind her, recently walked down the aisle at a wedding in Farmington with the maid of honor and bridesmaids.

Next year’s fall festival is scheduled for Oct. 17. For information, visit middletownct.gov/recreation or Middletown CT Rec on Facebook.

Cassandra Day / Hearst Connecticut Media The city played host to a ghoulishly fun Halloweenthemed family event Saturday — the Downtown Trick or Treat and Fall Festival. There were flash mob performances by the Lakeside Academy of Dance (shown here), booths with face painting, games of chance, candies, treats, and much more.

Participants young and old were encouraged to come in costume.

Cassandra Day photo / Hearst Connecticut Media The city played host to a ghoulishly fun Halloweenthemed family event —the Downtown Trick or Treat and Fall Festival.

Many children complemented their costumes Saturday during the festival in Union Park.