2017 Halloween Horribles Parade, Scarecrow Contest, Planned For Marlborough

MARLBOROUGH, MA—Mayor Arthur Vigeant announced that the 2017 Marlborough Horribles Parade will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

At this anticipated annual event, the mayor’s office and Main Street business owners invite young children from Marlborough to trick or treat along Main Street and enjoy candy and refreshments.

“This event brings families into downtown Marlborough and gives children the chance to showcase their amazing costumes and trick or treat in a fun and safe environment,” said Vigeant in a statement.

At 5:30 pm the Marlborough Middle School Band will lead the parade of Trick or Treaters from the Old Fire Station on Main Street to conclude the celebration.

The 2017 Horribles event includes the city’s second annual "You’ve Got the Right Stuff - Build Your Own Scarecrow Contest." In it, residents of all ages and groups/organizations are invited to participate. Frames for building a scarecrow are at the Recreation Center at 239 Concord Road from Oct. 9-21 during regular business hours.

According to the announcement, the frames have been designed to facilitate easy construction and will allow all scarecrows to be displayed and viewed in a standing position around Union Common on Oct. 26.

There's also an instruction video on how to use items around the house such as old clothes, newspapers, string and other items to build that scarecrow on the Marlborough Recreation Department's webpage.

Completed scarecrows can be delivered to the Recreational Center by Tuesday, Oct. 24, during normal business hours. Submissions must include an index card noting the participant’s name, contact information. Additionally, each participant’s name should be affixed to their scarecrow.

Scarecrows will be judged in 3 categories; youth, individual, and organization/group. One winner from each category will be selected for their creativity and awarded a gift certificate, donated by local Marlborough businesses. Awardees will be notified the following week.

The Horribles event will also include a faux photo booth at 175 Main Street (brick building next to pocket park). Participants are invited to stop by and have a professional photographer take their pictures in their Halloween garb and enjoy complementary juice and donuts. Pictures of participants can be viewed online starting Oct. 28.

Downloads of the Horribles pictures will be sent to participants free upon their request.

If you have questions about the Horribles parade or the You’ve Got the Right Stuff - Build Your Own Scarecrow Contest, please contact the city’s Program Coordinator Leanne Cordischi at lcordischi@gmail.com or call at 774-463-9517.

Photo Credit: City of Marlborough/Recreation Department