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‘Fright Fest’ Halloween celebration in Potsdam now two-day event

Posted 10/19/18

By MATT LINDSEY North Country Now POTSDAM – In an attempt to expand and make the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce’s annual Halloween celebration more family-friendly, the event has been renamed …

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‘Fright Fest’ Halloween celebration in Potsdam now two-day event

Posted

By MATT LINDSEY
North Country Now

POTSDAM – In an attempt to expand and make the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce’s annual Halloween celebration more family-friendly, the event has been renamed “Fright Fest” and now takes place over two days.

The Potsdam chamber will host the celebration of ghouls, ghosts and witches Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27.

Maggie McKenna, Potsdam chamber executive director, said that “Thursday was a tough time” for parents to get their families down to the event after a long day at work and school. It would also lead to “wasted” day in school on Fridays because of the exhausting night.

So the decision was made to try for a weekend event.

The event on Friday night will be more geared toward adults and will have extended downtown shopping hours with participating stores from 5 to 8 p.m., and a bonfire.

McKenna says she is trying to get the event “back to its roots” by focusing on businesses. “It’s the chambers job to bring businesses and the community together,” she said.

Shopping Friday night will be from 5 to 8 p.m. with a bonfire planned in Garner Park (near the Market Square Mall) with the fire department and village DPW.

“We thought it would be a fun fall event to have,” McKenna said, and “we wanted to bring in the fire department and DPW on board and try it out this year.”

The celebration of all things cute, scary and in between includes time-tested favorites like the Rag-a-Muffin Parade, fire truck rides and of course – candy.

New this year will be a 5k non-competitive run/walk for adults and children alike. This will give a chance for those who indulge in something sweet to work it off before getting some treats later in the day.

The costume run/walk, a fundraiser for St. Lawrence County Community Development Program; begins at 9 a.m. for walkers and 9:30 a.m. for runners. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. There will also be a shorter race/walk around Ives Park that is just for kids.

From 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Market Street will be closed off with vendors and activities (some vendors may be in Ives Park), similar to the Potsdam Summer Festival.

“Artisans, psychics and more will be set up,” McKenna said.

Food vendors include Rapidz, German food truck and The Red Fox among others. Chamber businesses will set up tables along the sidewalks and in the street.

The Rag-A-Muffin parade will be in front of the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, 24 Market St. Children are asked to gather at 10:45 a.m., with the official start at 11 a.m.

The parade will head to the Potsdam Fire Station for fire truck rides. Also, donuts, cider, and treats will be provided. The parade is sponsored by the Potsdam Kiwanis Club.

A costume contest is slated for 1 p.m. with prizes to be awarded. Dance performances at 2 p.m. will be held by Potsdam Dance Company and Step It Out.

From 10 a.m. until noon will be the Potsdam Rotary book giveaway and at 10:30 a.m. there will be story time with Potsdam children’s librarian Rebecca Donnelly.

The chamber is charging a fee for participating businesses and street vendors: $20 for chamber members and $30 for non-members.

To participate as a vendor, contact the chamber at 315-274-9000 or info@potsdamchamber.com.

To find an up-to-date schedule of events, visit www.potsdamchamber.com.