'Joy of being with each other again': Carrboro to hold Halloween festivities

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department is hosting several events for families and community members to celebrate Halloween this year.

One event is the virtual pumpkin carving and decorating contest where contestants can submit photos until Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. The winner of the contest will be announced on Oct. 28 on the department's Facebook page.

Charles Harrington, the recreation administrator and interim director of Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources, said people used to bring their pumpkins in person to Carrboro Town Commons for carving before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The pumpkin carving contest became a virtual event in 2020 and has remained virtual since, Harrington said.

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department will also be hosting a free Halloween Movie Night at Carrboro Town Commons on Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of its Halloween festivities. Tim Burton’s "Corpse Bride" will be shown at 7 p.m.

Another event is the Halloween Carnival on Oct. 28 at the Carrboro Town Commons from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

There will be carnival-style games including a ring toss and musical chairs with cookies, Harrington said. 

“The Halloween Carnival is probably the longest-standing event and that probably dates back to the mid to late '70s,” Harrington said.

Last year, about 400 prize bags were handed out to children at the event, Harrington said.

“It’s a beloved event," Harrington said. "I mean, really all of them are, but especially the Halloween Carnival. We get a number of families that come out.” 

Portia Hackett, digital marketing and social media specialist and E.Q.U.I.T.Y Alliance founder at Weaver Street Market, said the event will have popcorn, hot chocolate and apple cider for sale at concession booths as well as the Ta Contento Mex Food Truck.

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department is also partnering with Weaver Street Market on Oct. 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a “Music and Stories Under the Stars” event at Weaver Street Market's lawn.

Hackett said that there will be a costume contest for children 12 years old or under at the event.

Susan Romaine, the mayor pro tempore of Carrboro, said community members are encouraged to bring blankets and folding chairs to the event. 

Romaine said the Halloween events have been received well by the public and are a tribute to the Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department.

“I think they really do provide some exciting activities and a wide range of different kinds of activities for the kids,” Romaine said.

Catherine Lazorko, communication and engagement director for the Town of Carrboro, said the upcoming Halloween events do not require any road closures, but the public parking lot on South Greensboro Street will be closed.

She added that the Halloween carnival is very charming, sweet and family-oriented.

"Carrboro Town Commons is sure to be really bustling with families during the Halloween Carnival," she said. "Last year, it was very busy, super well-attended."

Romaine said Carrboro has missed opportunities to celebrate Halloween or has had to scale back on Halloween activities because of the pandemic in the past two years.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that we will be having all of these activities coming up later this month where people can experience just the joy of Halloween but also the joy of just being with each other again,” Romaine said.

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