Events offer a few scares and treats
By Scott Mitchell Johnson and Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE – While trick-or-treating at the Aroostook Centre Mall won’t be held this year, mall officials say there are still plenty of fun activities for ghosts and goblins to enjoy this Halloween.
“We decided to do something even bigger and better because of the size of the event that it’s grown into,” said Patti Crooks, general manager of the Aroostook Centre Mall. “It was really hard for us to accommodate everybody in such a short period of time. The event has gotten so huge that we’ve had to figure out how to make it work for everybody and keep it safe for everybody. What we chose to do was many different things throughout the week before Halloween.
“We held a party yesterday morning for the senior citizens and all the bingo players. They dressed up and brought in treats,” she said. “We’ve got free train rides with special treats for all the kids – as long as the goodie bags last – that started Monday and will continue through Friday, Oct. 29 from 4-6 p.m. They can go on the train as many times as they want to ride it. We’ve decorated the train as beautifully as we could this year, and we’ll also be offering the free train rides Oct. 30-31 from noon-4 p.m.”
In addition to 18 free hours of train rides, a special “Scar-eo-ky” event with Fireman Fred Parsons will be held on Halloween at 1 p.m.
“We’re going to have a special surprise treat,” teased Crooks.
Halloween events at the mall started in 2001, and for the last four or five years, children would dress up in their costumes and go trick-or-treating at the various merchants in the mall. Crooks said last year nearly 400 children attended.
“It was mass mayhem. We’re not equipped to handle that; we’re a mall,” she said. “We’ve done variations of the trick-or-treating over the years. Sometimes we’ve done just a costume parade, sometimes we’ve done fun and games, and we’ve done trick-or-treating at the individual stores for the last four or five years.
“Part of my job is to keep things fresh, exciting and different. If we only had one event and some parents had to work that day, they might not be able to bring their children,” said Crooks. “By having something going on for seven days straight, everybody wins. I really felt that by doing seven days – 18 hours of free train rides, which is what a lot of people come to this mall for – it would be a great way for families to start a new tradition. This is a nice way to bring it back into a safe, comfortable scale for everyone.”
Other Halloween events in the area include:
Thursday, Oct. 28
• The 14th annual “Trick or Treating Night” at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will be held from 7-8 p.m. in Park Hall and Merriman Hall for children in fifth grade and under. UMPI students will be decorating the halls for Halloween fun. Parking will be available in the library parking lot. For more information, call Jim Stepp, assistant dean of students/director of residence life at 768-9560. An adult must be with the children at all times; children may not be dropped off.
Saturday, Oct. 30
• A Fall Fun Festival, sponsored by the Fort Fairfield National Honor Society, will consist of a costume parade, face painting, photo booth, pumpkin decorating, putting contest and many, many more events.
The scheduled times are as follows:
3 p.m. Costume Parade. Line up at 2:45 p.m. at the Bandstand. The parade will end at the Fort Fairfield Community Center.
3:30-5 p.m. Family Fun Games & Activities for entire family at the Fort Fairfield Community Center. Open to all!
4:30 p.m. Hotdog Roast & Bonfire.
• Children’s annual Halloween party from noon-2 p.m. at the Hayward-Frazier Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2599 on Parsons Street in Presque Isle.
• The Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle is throwing a Halloween Spooktacular and Costume Parade from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $5.50 for Halloween art projects and face painting, $5.50 for the Halloween luncheon, with the downtown costume parade free for those interested in taking part. For more information about the event, contact 551-0936 or 762-3576.
• Mars Hill and Blaine are teaming up again this year to mark the spooky occasion. Sponsored by the Mars Hill Recreation Department and the CAHS Class of 2011, this year’s Halloween Party will take place from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Mars Hill & Blaine Community Center. This is the 19th annual Halloween Party held for children in grades 6 and under.
• There will be a spooky night coming to the Washburn Rec Center, as the Senior Class hosts a haunted house from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cost will be $1 for persons wanting a good scare. Donations will also be accepted at the door and there will be warm cider and goodies to purchase. All proceeds will benefit the Class of 2011 Project Graduation event.
Sunday, Oct. 31
• Big Top Bash at the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church, 387 Centerline Road, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Admission is free for kids up to grade 6 and their parents. Internationally known Vincent Pagliano (VAPPO the Clown) will perform a high-energy show for the whole family. There will also be a bounce house, games, candy, food, balloon drop and door prizes.
• While some communities are opting for Saturday festivities to mark Halloween, the Presque Isle Police Department and Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce indicated trick or treating in the city will take place in the evening.
• In Easton, the Wesleyan Church will host Trunk or Treat on Halloween, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
• Ashland Town Office confirmed trick or treaters will mark Halloween, going door to door in search of goodies on Sunday.
• Mapleton Town Office also indicated children will go door-to-door.
