Halloween thrills in 'Boo-hamsted'

BARKHAMSTED — Town officials and residents of “Boo-hamsted†are gearing up for a ghoulishly good time this month.

Residents, business owners and local organizations in Barkhamsted’s Riverton and Pleasant Valley areas along West and East River roads have been invited to create a display as part of the town’s first Barkhamsted Halloween Walk.

The displays can feature a witch, ghost, scarecrow, other Halloween-inspired creature and/or harvest-related items.

“It’s a perfect time to do it,†said Leslie Cosgrove, one of the event organizers, referring to the early fall season. “It will make a nice backdrop.â€

Some residents have taken to calling the town “Boo-hamsted†for the Halloween season.

Those who wish to participate in the walk, but do not want to exhibit a display at their home or business, can take part by completing the entry form posted on the town’s Web site at barkhamsted.us.

Competitors may then leave a form and description of their display at the Barkhamsted Town Hall or at the Riverton General Store as soon as it is ready, but no later than the deadline of Oct. 14.

The displays will then be placed at various locations in Pleasant Valley and Riverton.

Residents and visitors will be able to take a self-guided walking tour of the displays from Oct. 15 through to Nov. 1 and vote for their favorite.

“This is will tie in nicely with the fact that this is a local historical community,†Barkhamsted First Selectman Don Stein said.

In addition, the displays will not only be part of the walk, but for residents, there are three age groups that will be eligible for awards: children 12 and under, those aged 13 to 18, and adults 18 and over.

“We’ve already had a lot of enthusiasm about it,†Cosgrove said, adding that residents will also be able to vote on a permanent name for the self-guided walk.

Other Halloween events planned in town over the next few weeks include a Halloween story hour, pumpkin decorating demonstrations and contest, Special Olympics ghoulish walk and the presentation of the Halloween display awards.

The displays and the walk are are part of the  recommendations included in the townwide Barkhamsted Economic Development Strategy, which was presented at a public forum last month.

Cosgrove, a town resident and member of the consulting team assisting with the development plan, said the displays are not only a great way to celebrate fall in the Northwest Corner, but the walk also provides “a gateway from Pleasant Valley into Riverton.â€

“It’s an opportunity to showcase the area,†Cosgrove said.

For more information, contact Don Stein at Town Hall at 860-379-8285.

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