Siblings Maddox, Dylan, and Kaleesi, of North Attleborough, go for a slam dunk at the annual Halloween in the Park on Sunday, Oct. 24. Photo by North Star Intern Mikalah Silver
Kaleesi Livingston pets the goats during the Halloween in the Park event, held by the Downtown Associates of North Attleborough on Sunday, Oct. 24. The petting zoo was one of many fun activities for the children. Staff Photo/Max Bowen
Anastasia Massoud paints pumpkins during Halloween in the Park. The annual event was canceled last year due to Covid-19. Staff Photo/Max Bowen
Children enjoy the annual Halloween in the Park. For kids with food allergies that make candy dangerous, a Teal Pumpkin Project offers a safe alternative. File photo
North Attleborough Police Officer Kristine Crossman (right) hands stickers to Charlee Levesque during Halloween in the Park on Oct. 24. A number of organizations had tables to hand out candy and toys. Staff Photo/Max Bowen
Halloween in the Park culminated with a parade of children and their parents. Staff Photo/Max Bowen
Halloween Eileen leads the crowd in a rendition of “YMCA” at the close of Halloween in the Park on Oct. 24. Staff Photo/Max Bowen
Nova Hall, from Plainville, accepts her bag of candy after winning a game of mini golf. Photo by North Star Intern Mikalah Silver
Aria, Ava, and Alexa show off their creative skills at the arts and crafts station during Halloween in the Park on Oct. 24. Photo by North Star Intern Mikalah Silver
Many of the children at Halloween in the Park dressed in different costumes, including Gabriella Nunez. Staff Photo/Max Bowen
A hallmark of the Halloween season was celebrated by the community when it returned last weekend.
The annual event, organized by the Downtown Associates of North Attleborough (DANA) and the Parks and Recreation Department, was held on Sunday, Oct. 24, at Veterans Park. It featured a variety of activities including a petting zoo, bounce house, pumpkin painting, and live music.
Costumes were encouraged and children came dressed as scarecrows, creepy clowns, princesses, and characters from movies, comics, and video games. Miranda Levesque was with her daughter Charlee and said she had lost a year of Halloween celebrations.
“She has never seen anything like this,” said Miranda.
DANA President Maureen Merigold said it was great to see the event return and grateful to those who attended. DANA also runs the Back to School Shuffle, which was held in August. With the success of the Shuffle and dropping Covid cases, it was decided that Halloween in the Park could return.
“We’re so thrilled to be back,” said Merigold, adding that she loved the camaraderie it created.
The event concluded with a parade through the park so the children could show off their costumes. Prizes were given out for different categories, including Cutest and Scariest. Sheila Nunez said it was great to see the event return.
“It’s great for them to see other kids,” she said.