October 31st is a date that many kids eagerly await each year. Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the United States with kids enjoying trick or treating and dressing up in fun costumes. When the spooky season rolls around each year, towns across the country prepare to celebrate. Hingham always does an excellent job in creating a fun, safe, and festive environment for Halloween.
On Saturday, October 26th, the Hingham Square hosted, “Trick or Treating in the Square”. This event held from 12:00 to 3:00 pm was great for the littles. The shops downtown welcomed kids in their Halloween costumes and provided sweet treats.
The annual St. John’s (Not-So-Spooky) Haunted House has been a town favorite since 2016. This year the haunted house was held on October 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th and had a large attendance with almost three-thousand people! Since its start in 2016, the family-friendly event has provided the town with a more relaxed way to enjoy the spooky season. Freddy the Ghost steals the show every year and after meeting him, haunted-house-goers can enjoy some fall treats and family-friendly activities.
Hingham’s Weir River Farm hosted “Boo in the Barnyard” this year on October 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th. This was another great family-friendly Halloween event. Kids could wear their costumes and meet some barnyard friends like Petunia the pig, Pepper the goat, or Betty the sheep. There were also some sweet treats, festive crafts, and a great scavenger hunt! Barnyard-goers could also explore the wilderness trails that Weir River Farm has to offer.
The Hingham Maritime Center just hosted the “Witch and Warlock Paddle” on Saturday October 26th from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Participants brought with them their paddle-boarding experience and wore their best witch and warlock costumes. Families were invited to watch the haunted harbor happenings from the Bathing Beach.
Hingham High School has also been the site of Halloween festivities in addition to the ones around town. The HHS Best Buddies Club hosted a “Pumpkin Carving Party” this past Wednesday, October 30th after school. This fun event was held at the outdoor picnic tables at the front of the school and Olivia Carleton, an HHS student and a member of Best Buddies describes, “Best Buddies events are always great especially this week’s pumpkin painting with the fall festivities and great weather. We look forward to our annual Friendsgiving in a couple of weeks!”
Although the Halloween holiday has passed for 2024, there is still lots of candy laying around Hingham homes. The HHS Veterans Appreciation Club is organizing a candy drive for our veterans. The candy collection boxes are in the main office and all donations are due by November 7th. HHS student Ellie Rogers shares, “I think it’s a really great thing to do and I hope it puts a smile on their faces.” Every donation counts, so if you have any extra candy, make sure to bring it into school!
