KENT, Conn.—A visit to bucolic Kent is a usually walk back in time, a serene visit to small-town New England. But on Halloween, that very same visit becomes a frightful affair.
The town pulls out all the stops for its Halloween celebration, and this year will be no exception.
Kent Chamber of Commerce member Gary Kidd says the evening will again offer an opportunity for all kinds of Halloween fun, ranging from trick-or-treating along Main Street, to a costume contest judged by filmmaker and actor Rob Zombie and his wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, to a Thriller Flash Mob recreating Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” performance.
A Trunk or Treat area for businesses without a storefronts and non-profits will be added to the festivities.
The celebration kicks off Friday, Oct. 31, as the whole town lights up with Halloween excitement. Local businesses will stay open late, inviting trick-or-treaters and families to enjoy a safe and spirited evening downtown.
“We didn’t expect last year to be as big as it was,” Kidd told the Planning and Zoning Commission recently while discussing plans for the special event. “Part of our goal is to make Kent the number one town to visit on Halloween for people from throughout the area.”
Surprised by the hordes of fancifully costumed visitors that came to town last year, planners this year have bolstered efforts to ensure that everyone is safe and that the event is fun for all. “We learned some things from last year,” Kidd said.
Hundreds of visitors swarmed the town last year, many of them participating in the costume contest at 45 on Main. This year, the time for the costume party has been moved forward to 7:30 p.m. and free online registration is required to participate.
The Zombies, who celebrate their wedding anniversary on Oct. 31, will again be the guest judges, awarding limited-edition Zombie-designed trophies prizes for the Scariest, Funniest and Most Creative costumes for kids, adults and pets. Participation is free, but attendees are encouraged to donate to the Kent Food Bank, with Rob and Sheri matching all donations.
The evening will be crowned by the costume contest, but there is plenty of entertainment to be had before it.
At 5 p.m. “Trunk or Treat” will be held in the Webster Bank parking lot on North Main Street, a family-friendly favorite where cars decorated in fanciful fashion will have their trunks gaping open to distribute treats. Members of the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association will be on hand to give hayrides.
Throughout the town, Main Street shops, restaurants and residents will hand out candy and spooky surprises.
As darkness falls, the Kent Lions Club will hand out glow-in-the-dark necklaces in front of the Bain Real Estate office to ensure safety. The resident state trooper and volunteers—45 on Main will have its full staff on duty—will be on hand to direct pedestrian flow, encouraging revelers to only cross the streets at crosswalks.
At 7 p.m., the annual “Thriller” Flash Mob, featuring local students takes to the Golden Falcon field to recreate Michael Jackson’s iconic moves. There are some surprises this year as “Thriller” has been reimagined and while it will have the traditional choreography, it has some unexpected twists, according to choreographer Kim Compton.
Parking will be available throughout the town and at Kent Green. Some side roads will closed for pedestrian safety.
The Kent Halloween events are hosted in collaboration with the Kent Chamber of Commerce and local volunteers.
