Fairfield Begins a New Halloween Tradition

From the Fairfield Museum:

FAIRFIELD, CT – The historic green behind the Fairfield Museum became an enchanted Halloween Village for the first annual Halloween on the Green event! On a gorgeous Sunday, October 30, families flocked to the Museum for all-day event that was a true community effort by local businesses, non-profits, the Town of Fairfield, the Chamber of Commerce and many area volunteer organizations. As one parent in attendance noted, “It looked like the whole town was there!”

The buildings on the Museum Commons, including Sun Tavern, the Old Academy and the Victorian Cottage and Barn, were all transformed into Halloween-themed areas where children and adults could explore, find treats and show off their amazing costumes. The Old Academy featured a “wizardry” theme courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution Dennie Burr Chapter, the Sun Tavern had a pumpkin gallery and “Icky” room thanks to the Junior Women’s Club and National Charity League, and the Victorian Barn had a gorgeous pumpkin display and pumpkin-decorating station sponsored by Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, Fairfield Rotary, Knights of Columbus Council 2616 & Father Coleman Foundation of Fairfield.

Games, crafts, storytelling courtesy of the Fairfield Public Library, and trick-or-treating were also part of the fun! Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed entertainment provided by Bob & Dave, Gymnastics & Cheerleading Academy, TJ & The Toads and the spectacular Double Up Dance Group, whose performance of “Thriller” really was thrilling!

Fairfield Museum Executive Director Mike Jehle was delighted with the event, the turn-out and the community support. “We were excited to host Halloween on the Green and to welcome more than 4,000 people to this new event,” he said. “The day was a great combination of family fun and Halloween spirit, made possible by the support of our co-sponsors, the Town of Fairfield and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, along with our underwriters and community partners.”

Halloween on the Green also included a fabulous antique car line-up, a fun bounce house sponsored by the Town of Fairfield, Parks & Recreation Department and a costume parade. The parade, led by First Selectman Mike Tetreau, was a highlight of the day. Prizes were awarded by Magic Beans. Selectman Tetreau was extremely impressed with the event, and thanked Fairfield Museum for hosting it. “[It was a] great crowd for our first ever Halloween on the Green,” he said. “I think we have seen the start of a new Fairfield tradition.”

Dozens of community organizations partnered with the Fairfield Museum to make this event a spectacular Halloween extravaganza! Sponsors include Newman’s Own, TownVibe/Fairfield Magazine and Stew Leonard’s. In addition, Willows Pediatric Group and Kids First Pediatric Dentistry/First Impressions Orthodontics provided trick-or-treat bags for attendees. Other businesses on hand included Fairfield University Bookstore, AFC Urgent Care, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Freshii, Kiwanis Club, Pequot Library, Tumble Jungle and the YMCA. Food trucks, a pet parade, pumpkin carving at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Chamber of Commerce’s Market on the Green rounded out the event.

Fairfield Museum Director of Development Shana Wiswell, who attended with her son dressed as Buzz Lightyear, thanked her staff and the community partners who worked so hard to make the day a success. “Our Director of Education & Community Programs Christine Jewell did an amazing job creating this event from the ground-up and involving the entire community. From our sponsors to local merchants and volunteer groups, this was truly a collaborative effort. We can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Images via the Fairfield Museum