Halloween comes around but once a year, and Milford knows how to celebrate! This year, October 31st is a Wednesday, but the frightfully fun season starts weeks before to maximize the proper mood. From a seaside Halloween parade to vibrant pumpkins displayed on the pier, Milford offers plenty of ways for the young and young at heart to fully embrace the thrills and chills of the Halloween season. So no matter what you’re in the market for, Milford has something spooktacular to offer for the whole family!
Pumpkins on the Pier
Pumpkins Eve and the 8th Annual Pumpkins on the Pier Festival will bring colorful fall fun to Walnut Beach on Friday and Saturday, October 5-6. Both signature events benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Milford by raising funds for the organization’s after-school and summer programs.
“After years of success with Pumpkins on the Pier, we decided to expand our event to include a fun evening for adults,” explains Megan Altomare, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Milford. “Pumpkins Eve is a great time for families to relax and enjoy old fashioned fun.”
The Rum Runners, one of Connecticut’s most popular cover bands, will kick off the inaugural Pumpkins Eve on Friday night. Featuring a wide variety of savory and sweet food trucks, local craft beer from New England Brewing Company, and a stunningly lit Walnut Beach pier, Pumpkins Eve begins at 6:00 p.m. and provides beach lovers the opportunity to spend an autumn night under the stars.
On Saturday, Pumpkins on the Pier will fill Walnut Beach with the Halloween spirit and impressively decorated pumpkins from 10:00 am – 5:00 p.m. People of all ages are welcome to hop on a hay ride, dance to live music, or mosey through a pumpkin patch filled with thousands ready to be picked.
Trick-or-Treat BOOtacular
With candy of all kinds on their minds, children under 12 have the chance to fill their plastic pumpkins and pillow cases on Halloween night at Milford’s Connecticut Post Mall.
During the Trick-or-Treat Bootacular on Halloween, Wednesday October 31st, children and their parents can stride from store to store while employees pass out goodies. Retailers partaking in the event will have a sign at each door indicating their participation, and additional candy and music will be provided in the center court.
“We’re happy to host an event that allows for children and families to stay safe while still having a great Halloween,” says Connecticut Post Mall marketing director Kelly Frantz. “The environment is safer than traditional outdoor trick-or-treating because the children are inside, out of the cold, and away from the danger of potential motorists or strangers. This year we are planning to make the event even more engaging while also driving more traffic to the stores, restaurants, and other businesses.”
The Mall will host a pumpkin decorating competition throughout October as well as a fall festival and pop-up shop market with face painting and the Hocus Pocus Sanderson sisters on Saturday and Sunday, October 13-14.
Walnut Beach Halloween Parade
For trick-or-treaters craving a cold, sweet treat, Walnut Beach Creamery will throw its annual Walnut Beach Halloween Parade beginning at 5:00 p.m. Halloween night.
“Twelve years ago when I opened up the creamery, I wanted to find a way to wrap up the summer season, so I decided to have a neighborhood parade,” said Susan Patrick, owner of Walnut Beach Creamery. “Back then, we had people stationed on top of the creamery throwing down candy to the crowd.”
All these years later, the parade has grown into a neighborhood Halloween staple, with surrounding streets closing down and businesses in the area passing out candy to hundreds of kids.
“Every year the Walnut Beach Witch arrives at 6:00 p.m. to lead kids through the neighborhood while ringing a bell to ward off the ‘bad spirits’,” Patrick explained. “There is a DJ and a flash mob featuring members of the Walnut Beach Association and local business owners. The parade ends around 7:00 p.m. so it’s early enough for everyone to stop by and then go trick-or-treating.”
The parade goes on rain or shine, and while supplies last, there is free homemade ice cream for those who show up in costume. “We even had the parade right after Hurricane Sandy,” Susan recalled. “I remember that Halloween was postponed in Milford that year for a week or two, and we still ended up having it. We’ve had it in the rain and in the snow—it doesn’t matter!”
Susan said that fall does not officially begin until the Walnut Beach Halloween Parade. “Since we’ve started, it’s been a completely positive experience and we’ve loved every minute of it.”
