HOULTON, Maine — More than 1,000 people lined up along Houlton’s Main Street on Saturday to celebrate Halloween a day earlier.
The Shiretown Spooktacular event, organized by the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, Houlton Recreation Department and Serendipitous Dragonfly, proved to be an overwhelming success.
Local businesses and nonprofit organizations gave out candy to hundreds of costumed kids, who came with their families to get an early taste of Halloween festivities.
Within 20 minutes of the beginning of the event, most places had run out of candy and had to go get more, said Houlton Chamber of Commerce Director Jane Torres. She estimated that between 1,500 to 2,000 people total attended the event.
“We really didn’t expect to have that many people turn out, and we were pleasantly surprised,” she said. “I was really pleased with how happy people were, and how happy the kids were.”
In addition to handing out treats, there were other activities for kids to partake in, including a makeshift haunted house set up by members of the U.S. Border Patrol and free photo-ops in front of the historic chamber of commerce building. Torres said at least 90 families took part in the photo-ops.
For the children, the event wasn’t just an opportunity to get free candy, but also a chance to see their friends and admire each other’s costumes. With the pandemic still ongoing in Houlton, schools have had to shut down several times, meaning kids have not had as many chances to see their friends this year.
“I loved being able to see my friends, and get lots of candy,” said Kya Chaloux, age 8, who attended the event dressed as an angel.
Though most of the action occurred along Main Street, Market Square was also buzzing with Halloween activity. Businesses along the square, such as Temple Cinema and H&R Block, also turned out in costume to give candy to kids who walked by them.
Summer Dulinsky, an employee at Country North Gifts, stood outside the shop dressed as Belle from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” gifting candy and singing to kids who walked by her.
She said the warmer weather this year helped for a larger turnout than in previous years.
“It’s not as cold as last year, and this is a lot of fun,” she said. “I’m really happy to see the turnout.”
This article has been updated to include all three organizations that helped make it possible.
HOULTON, Maine — November 1, 2021 — A view of the crowd that turned out for the Shiretown Spooktacular in Houlton on Saturday, Oct. 30. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — November 1, 2021 — Members of the Houlton Explorer Post 1820 with the U.S. Border Patrol hand out candy in front of a makeshift haunted house as part of the Shiretown Spooktacular event in Houlton. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — November 1, 2021 — From left, Abby Woods, age eight, walks down Main Street with siblings Aiden (age 11) and Ethan (age 9) Hogan, dressed as Rick from “Rick and Morty” and Fishstick from “Fortnite” respectively. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — November 1, 2021 — Summer Dulinsky of Country North Gifts hands out candy to children on Market Square in Houlton. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — November 1, 2021 — From right, siblings Chase, age 3, Parker, age 7, and Emily Condon, age 5 attend the Shiretown Spooktacular event dressed as Mario, Luigi, and Peach from the “Super Mario Bros.” series. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
