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Trick-or-treating on Elm Street is on. EXPRESS FILE
Southampton Village will close Elm Street to vehicular traffic for four hours on Halloween to the delight of families who traditionally trick-or-treat there.
Elm Street has been a popular destination for trick-or-treaters for many years, and many homeowners on the street have gone all out with their decorating to welcome the children. Beginning in 2009, the village has closed a portion of Elm Street to vehicles on Halloween for a few hours for kids’ safety, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the village did not close the street in 2020. Mayor Jesse Warren confirmed on Thursday, October 21, that the practice will resume in 2021.
At the October 14 meeting of the Village Board, the matter had remained up in the air.
“We want to get some feedback from our board and from our residents about what to do this Halloween,” the mayor said during the meeting. “We have heard various input from residents. … We are considering closing the street for part of the day on Sunday. We have also heard that some people don’t want us to close Elm Street.”
The mayor and other members of the Village Board asked for Elm Street residents to reach out with their thoughts — and soon after, they did. Warren said the feedback was in favor of closing the street to welcome trick-or-treaters.
Village Police will close Elm Street from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 31. A costume contest is tentatively planned to begin at 7 p.m. The winner will get to “slime” the mayor.
To alleviate the costs for Elm Street residents, a Cookie Monster-style bin has been placed at Village Hall so residents can donate candy.
The Rag-a-Muffin Parade historically sponsored by the Southampton Chamber of Commerce is not happening in 2021, but other events will be back and new festivities are planned.
Little Lucy’s Halloween Pet Parade is happening on Saturday, October 30. Registration is $10. Costumed dogs and owners will meet at Agawam Park at 1 p.m. and walk down Jobs Lane and Main Street before returning to the park. Proceeds benefit Kent Animal Shelter.
The Southampton History Museum presents Haunted Village on Saturday, October 30, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Rogers Mansion at 17 Meeting House Lane. The event is free and includes candy and pumpkins, while supplies last. RSVP at southamptonhistory.org.
Also on Saturday, the history museum will offer ghost hunting at the Halsey House at 249 South Main Street or at the Rogers Mansion. Sessions begin at 8:45 and 10 p.m. and admission is $40. Register in advance online.
The village is sponsoring a new event on Halloween, a pumpkin scavenger hunt tentatively scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Clues will be given all day and posted on the mayor’s social media. Those who find pumpkins can snap a photo and use the hashtag #SHPumpkinHunt.
