Time to get spooky

By BARBARA POLICHETTI
Posted 10/23/24

There are more treats than tricks available this week with fun, safe and slightly spooky ways to get into the spirit of Halloween.  Here’s a look at a sampling of events planned for …

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Time to get spooky

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There are more treats than tricks available this week with fun, safe and slightly spooky ways to get into the spirit of Halloween.  Here’s a look at a sampling of events planned for Cranston, Johnston and Warwick.

In keeping with tradition, the Cranston Historical Society will host its “Charlie the Butler Ghost Party” at the Sprague Mansion on Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. The party will feature Jared the Magician and Mentalist, an astrologist, monster decorations, live music, and light refreshments.

Magician Jared Dubois of Warwick is well known throughout the state. He said his show at the Sprague Mansion will focus on his skills as a mentalist but will also include some sleight of hand tricks.  It is intended to be entertaining as well as mystifying.

“I perform for about an hour and it’s fun and interactive,” said Dubois who has been practicing magic since he was young.  He said the stately Sprague mansion, where ancestor paintings peer down from the walls, is the perfect setting for the family-friendly show.  You can read more about his skills at www.jaredmagic.com.

The Historical Society suggest ages 14 and up for the party, which is named after Charles, a butler who served at the mansion in the 1880s.  He wanted the eldest of his two daughters to marry the son of the mansion owner and was saddened when it never came to fruition. His disappointed spirit purportedly still roams the mansion today.

Tickets are $20 per person ($17 for Historical Society members) and proceeds will benefit the society which is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tickets can be purchased in advance, but admission is available at the door as space allows.  The mansion is located at 1351 Cranston St.

Whether or not Charlie will attend is anyone’s guess!

Safety First

Keeping Halloween safe for youngsters is a priority in the three communities where schools and various community groups are hosting “Trunk or Treat” events to provide a fun alternative to traditional door-to-door trick or treating.  In these supervised events, participants get creative and bedeck their cars for Halloween and then open them up to hand out candies, cookies and other treats to costumed children.

There are a number in each community — some organized by local schools in Johnston and Warwick.

In the Trunk

In Warwick, Bishop Hendricken students are holding their second annual Trunk or Treat at the school on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. The members of the school’s Leadership Academy want to make the free event a Rhode Island tradition and say that they’re hoping for even more participants than last year, when about 40 cars and more than 500 trick or treaters showed up. (The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 27.)

“We want to the make this a lasting tradition for families across the state,” the leadership group said in a statement.

The Trunk or Treat events, also sometimes known as Halloween Tailgate parties, continue to grow in popularity in Rhode Island — sometimes sponsored by schools, police departments, or fraternal organizations.

The Johnston Police Department is gearing up to host a Trunk or Treat night on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Johnston Senior High School parking lot. Families are encouraged to attend and enjoy candy, popcorn, ‘surprise’ characters and more.

“Our annual trunk-or-treat provides a safe and fun environment for families and our community to celebrate Halloween,” said Johnston Police Chief Mark Viera. “It’s a great chance for our officers and civilian staff to connect with residents in a positive way that helps build better relationships.

“Our goal is to help create memories for families and provide a safe and enjoyable experience,” he said. “We’re excited to see everyone come out, dress up, and have a good time.”

Capt. Justin Dutra, head of the Cranston Police Department’s Community Outreach Division, said that over the next week or so, Cranston police will be helping out at a variety of community and school-sponsored Trunk or Treat events, and they encourage people to enjoy them.

“Youngsters, and their families don’t have to worry about traffic, or getting candy or treats from strangers,” he said. “So, these events are preferable for safety reasons. They are also lot of fun and a great way for kids to get a lot of candy in one spot.” 

He noted that Cranston police enjoy assisting at the events and look forward to seeing how creative children can be with their costumes.  “These types of events are often the best and safest options,” he said.  “And we also love participating in them because we love being out in the community and we love seeing the children all dressed up.”

On the City Line

In Pawtuxet Village, on the Cranston-Warwick line, the popular 28th Annual Costume Parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26. It’s free to all children and adults, with participants asked to gather at 1:15 p.m. at Pawtuxet Park in Warwick. (There is no rain date.)

The parade, organized by Friends of Pawtuxet Village, will march through the village where residents and businesses will be ready to hand out treats and no tricks.

The community group is also encouraging visitors to check out scarecrows that on display in the historic village.

Editor’s Note: Barbara Polichetti, a Cranston resident, is a regular contributor to the Cranston Herald and Johnston SunRise. Contact Polichetti at barbarap@beaconmediari.com.

Halloween, party

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