The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Spooktacular brings the thrills
More than 300 attend at Johnnycake Mountain Farm
BURLINGTON — Michael Partyka, of Burlington, estimated the weight of two pumpkins as 150 pounds and 6 ounces for the “Guess the Pumpkin Weight” at the 12th annual Spooktacular at Johnnycake Mountain Farm at 130 Johnnycake Mountain Road on Saturday afternoon.
Partyka’s wife, Nicole, carrying their 9-week-old infant, Calleigh (who was dressed as, in Nicole’s words, a “UConn Huskies fairy,” with a team onesie and a gray Huskies wig), said, “This is the first time we have come here. It’s a cute event.”
Nearby, Justine Orefice, of the Burlington Parks & Recreation, which hosted the event, supervised the lawn games and said, “It’s been very busy. People are definitely having lots of fun.”
The event also included two bounce houses; face painting; hayrides; field games; and a Touch-a-Truck. DJ Patty Atkins led costumed children on a “Thriller”-inspired Halloween parade. Parks & Recreation Department director Tricia Twomey estimated that 350 people came for the event, raising about $700 for the Burlington Parks & Recreation Department.
Twomey added, “It’s good to get people out and involved with the community. The weather has been great, so it’s been a good day.”
Michael Lambis, 10, and his best friend Gabe Guay, 10, dressed as identical fanged clowns that both resembled the clown character in the horror movie “It.”
“The event is awesome,” Guay said.
While Johnnycake Mountain Farm owner Dwight Harris gave crowds hayrides over the rolling hills of the farm, in the parking lot, Burlington Volunteer Fire Department cadets Ben Cook, 15, and Colby Kardas, 16, gave children tours of the Fire Department’s Engine No. 1.
“It’s been good,” Ben said. “People get to sit in the fire truck, and we are getting a lot of smiling from the kids.”
Neil Roberts of Burlington attended with his wife Koriann and children, Paul, 4, and Stella, 1. “It’s the first time we have come,” Roberts said. Paul, who was dressed in an “Incredible Hulk” costume and sported green face paint, said his favorite part of the event was the Halloween parade.
Twomey said the Parks & Recreation Department bought a park property in Johnnycake Mountain Farm last year and will be possibly building structures on the land. “We are going to see what the future will bring,” Twomey said. “We are currently in the design phase.”
Twomey said the Parks & Recreation is looking to possibly build a community center and pavilion on the farm property. “We also envision passive and active recreation,” she said. “We want to keep the aspect of farm animals like cows and horses.”