KENT, Conn.—Kent rolled out the red carpet—or should it have been a black carpet?—for ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties as it celebrated Halloween in style last Saturday.
The town center becomes an entertainment center as trick-or-treaters roamed the streets. Businesses stayed open late and this year a Trunk or Treat was held on the grounds of 45 on Main. Spooky music reverberated in the street and the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association donated its vintage Farmall tractor and wagon to give rides through town.
“It was spectacular,” said Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ellen Corsell of the annual extravaganza. “There were hundreds and hundreds of people in the street—people come to Kent from surrounding towns because it’s the place to be. Everyone was smiling and happy and having a good time. The kids from South Kent School [helped by Kent Center and Kent School students] did their ‘Thriller’ act, which was the best ever. Those kids worked so hard on their choreography.”
Halloween was just the kick-off for the Chamber of Commerce’s busiest season. Corsell had spent the day with fellow Chamber member Gary Kidd planning for the upcoming holiday season.
“The last quarter of the year is the craziest for everybody,” Corsell said, “and for the Chamber, we just roll from the Pumpkin Run to Halloween to Thanksgiving to the holiday season. Gary and I were literally finishing up the loose ends of the Pumpkin Run and then I started digging out the stars to decorate town, he started working on the Sip, Sparkle and Stroll and I was reaching out to people to take part in our gingerbread house exhibit.”
Corsell admitted it is a lot of work, but said the Chamber of Commerce has embraced its role of “celebrating small-town community life.”
The next round of festivities begins in only three weeks with a gala Thanksgiving weekend that will include the ever-popular Sip, Sparkle and Stroll (formerly the Champagne Stroll), a Saturday evening of strolling through the twinkling lights along Main Street to visit stores where visitors are offered libations while browsing merchandise. More details about the event will be announced soon.
On Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28 and 29, Art & Design returns to the Community House at 93 North Main St. The juried show celebrates the creativity of a changing list of 20 artists and artisans from the region who are invited to the twice-annual event.
“This is the fourth time we have had Art & Design,” Corsell said, “and we want it to grow every time. This year, we will have live music, and Kent Greenhouse will be coming with its wreaths. OHO, a wellness business, will offer nutritious drinks.”
Corsell said that she hopes that the large stars created over the past two years will be in place along the community’s streets and the highly creative gingerbread houses made by local bakers will be ensconced in participating businesses for visitors to view on Thanksgiving weekend.
“Kent is a place people love to visit,” said Corsell. “I have friends who drive an hour-and-a-half to come here. What a beautiful community we have, and we want to maintain that.”
