Residents, Businesses Gearing Up For Halloween Festivities

Halloween is shaping up to be quite the holiday in Newtown.

On Oct. 22, Newtown residents and business owners have collaborated to put on the Newtown Halloween Art Scene event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The day will have Halloween activities for people of all ages, including window painting, pumpkin decorating and cupcake wars. “This really is a multi-generational event,” said Jackie Kaizar, who organizes the event with Karen Lawler, as well as local business owners Becky and Harry Betz.

Because the event seems to drum up much enthusiasm in the community, organizers say they wanted to expand the festivities this year.

“Newtown has been hosting Halloween window painting for many years, but the cupcake wars and the decorated pumpkin contest is new.  We added these new events to make the day more fun and appeal to more people,” said Kaizar.

Last year, 52 windows on State and Sycamore streets were painted with Halloween scenes. Business owners are very receptive to the concept and some allow more than one to be painted, Kaizar said, adding last year Jules Thin Crust offered up all of their windows.

“His restaurant looked like a Halloween wonderland! He said that his customers loved it,” Kaizar said.

Anyone can sign up in advance to paint the windows. Groups or individuals are permitted. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 8.  Click here to learn more or to download a registration form.

Tempera paints will be provided; artists are asked to contribute $5 to cover the cost of the paint and materials.  Black, white, red, yellow and blue paint will be provided allowing artists to mix their own colors for their creation. Artists should bring their own brushes.

Windows are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the rules.  One window will be assigned to each artist or group. Requests for specific windows may be honored if possible.

According to the rules, painting must be done freehand and have a family-friendly Halloween theme or be themed according to the shop’s merchandise or services.  All paintings must be completed by 2 p.m.

Businesses who may not want their windows painted but still want to be festive are encouraged to make scarecrows to sit outside their shops, Kaizar said.

If painting is not your thing, then sign up for the decorated pumpkin contest, which is free. Pre-pained pumpkins can be dropped off at George’s Flooring Center on South State Street throughout the event. The pumpkins will then be judged and displayed at area businesses, Kaizar said.

For the bakers out there, there is also a cupcake contest this year. Entrants should bring six homemade Halloween-themed cupcakes to during the event.  

Felix of will be the judge. The cupcakes will then be distributed to area nursing homes.  Prizes will be awarded for taste and creativity, organizers said.

The raindate for the event is Sunday, Oct. 23. For more information, click here.