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Hundreds in costume expected at 'Phantoms in the Park' in Canton Saturday

Posted 10/28/16

The event is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University Student Activities. “We all look forward to seeing the kids in costume each year,” Chamber Executive …

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Hundreds in costume expected at 'Phantoms in the Park' in Canton Saturday

Posted

The event is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University Student Activities.

“We all look forward to seeing the kids in costume each year,” Chamber Executive Director Sally Hill said.

The costume contest will take place prior to the parade again this year and children will decorate pumpkins in the park. The contest will begin around 12:30 p.m. and families are welcome to come early to help decorate the park.

Children’s costumes will be judged by students from St. Lawrence University and SUNY Canton. Categories have included scariest, most original, funniest, most patriotic, cutest and most creative use of recycled materials. Chamber gift certificates will be awarded to the winners.

“We like to keep the kids shopping locally,” Hill said.

Mike Livingston of DeKalb will once again donate pumpkins to the event. Kids can decorate pumpkins in the park at tables that will be set up.

“Mike was hit pretty hard this year with the dry weather and lost about 80 percent of his crop,” Hill said.

He has still agreed to donate what he can the event, but kids may only receive one pumpkin this year as opposed to more than one as in years past.

“He has always been so generous to us … he would bring us a truckload and always give us more and more. I feel bad for him,” Hill said.

The Chamber is accepting donations of pumpkins for the event. Info: 386-8255.

“The kids always have such a great time decorating pumpkins,” Hill said.

The parade will start close to 1 p.m., she said.

Kids will parade around downtown on Main Street and the plaza behind the old McDonald’s collecting treats and goodies from local businesses. Some businesses and organizations will likely be set up in the park to hand out candy and other goodies.

College students will help to direct traffic to keep things safe, Hill said.

“Without the help of the students this event would be close to impossible,” she said.

Kids can take turns touring in a fire truck. There will also be some games for kids to play and spooky music by Don Leonard will fill the air.

Hill is hopeful for dry weather so blow-up spiders, witches and Frankenstein decorations, which are donated by the VFW, can be displayed in the park.

“Moms and dads usually get out the plastic bags and umbrellas if we get rain, but it’s usually not that bad if it rains,” Hill said.