MALTA, N.Y. — Families were able to get into the Halloween spirit a little early this weekend, as Malta Parks, Recreation & Human Services held their annual Halloween Extravaganza on Saturday.
The event featured Trunk-or-treating, pumpkin carving and a craft, along with refreshments and holiday arm/hand painting. Families were encouraged to come in costume, and that includes their pets too, as there was also a Dog Costume Parade the four-legged members of their family could take part in.
“It’s a way to give something simple and wholesome back to the community,” Kristan Gottmann, Director of Parks, Recreation & Human Services, shared. “You buy these costumes to get your kids dressed up, and rather than just only one day, this gives them another chance to get out and do some family fun activities. They can do a craft or maybe if you don’t want to make a big mess at your house, you can carve a pumpkin here.”
The event was originally to take place at the Shenantaha Creek Park; however, Gottmann shared that the event was relocated to the Malta Community Center due to cold weather and the potential for rain – the latter of which did not come, allowing for families to enjoy the trunk-or-treat element in the Community Center’s parking lot.
Local fire agencies, volunteers and small businesses decorated vehicles and came out to provide stops for kids to get some candy. Tammy Cardinale, Owner of La Pet Salon & Spa, who decorated their vehicle to look like a Dalmatian, shared that it was their first year participating in the event and they were excited to be a part of all the fun.
“We wanted to participate because we wanted to get the word out about ourselves, but we also like to be a part of the community; that is very important to us,” Cardinale shared with The Saratogian during the event. “It’s been very enjoyable so far, and I love to see the parents and the kids out together. It really has that small town community feel, and we really love that.”
Trunk-or-treaters were also able to say hi and get some candy from Town Supervisor of Malta, Cynthia Young, who shared how important events like the Halloween Extravaganza are to the town.
“We love putting these events on, we do them regularly and it’s a nice inexpensive way for families to get out and do stuff,” Young said. “We try to focus on families – for at least 25 years, before we even had a community center, we were having regular activities and events like this. We take pride in ourselves as a family town, and we just hope that everybody has a good time.”
Young also served as a judge for the Dog Costume Parade, which featured several local pooches dressed to the nines in creative costumes including, but not limited to, a highland cow, Cookie Monster, a grape, a lobster, a caveman and more.
The event drew both returning and new families – such as Stephany Matamoros, who attended the Halloween Extravaganza with her children Carmen and Luca. She shared that while she’s known about the event for a while, schedules haven’t lined up, and other conflicts have kept her family from attending until this year.
“This was the first year I was able to sign up and actually come, and we loved it,” Matamoros said. “My kids love trunk-or-treating, so I try to go to as many events as I possibly can, within reason.”
“They had so much fun – I love the Malta Community Center; we do their summer program, their winter festival and just try to come out to as many events from here as possible. They do so much for the community.”
Barbara Mazurak, the Community Center’s Youth Director, who organized the event, was thrilled to see so many families at the event – and shared that she hopes the fun they had makes them want to come to the Community Center’s next holiday event in December – where families will be able to meet Santa Claus and decorate graham cracker houses.
“I hope people who come out today will come back on December 5,” Mazurak said. “And that they know this is something that goes on. Whatever we do is always a success for the children. It’s all about the families and the kids.”
For more information about Malta Parks, Recreation & Human Services and the Community Center, visit www.MaltaParksRec.com.
-
Local businesses, fire agencies and volunteers served as “Trick or Treat” stations for families to visit at the Halloween Extravaganza this weekend. (Emma Ralls – Medianews Group)
1 of 4
Local businesses, fire agencies and volunteers served as “Trick or Treat” stations for families to visit at the Halloween Extravaganza this weekend. (Emma Ralls – Medianews Group)