dotCANTON.com

With the minutes leading up to the 17th annual Collinsville Halloween Parade ticking away at a frightfully fast pace, Boosilini, the event’s monster of ceremonies, was in good spirits after agreeing to speak with dotCANTON.com.

As he did, it quickly became clear he couldn’t wait for the start of the evening’s pre-parade activities, which begin in the area of the Canton Historical Museum before 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30.

In particular, the self-described “kind-hearted monster” was obviously looking forward to the “Howling for Dollars” contest, when he’ll give a dollar to kids who are willing to roar.

“The only reason they invite children is to hear them scream,” Boosilini said, obviously amused by the thought. “They are, of course, howls of delight.”

Boosilini went on to talk about how the judges for the five-category costume contest will be introduced, how cookies and candy will be tossed (and shot via “candy canon”) toward the eager throng and how everybody will be doing a little Monster Mash before the parade gets underway.

He was quite excited.

And then, Boosilini said, the Phantom of the Opera will climb into his “death wagon” and begin playing his organ to entice parade participants to follow him up Main Street and then over to the Collinsville Congregational Church, where “cider and doughnut holes” will be waiting as refreshments. He giggled. Or at least that’s what it sounded like.

Then, Boosilini said, it’s back toward Front Street and eventually past the costume judges who will be looking for the best in four traditional categories — funny, scary, most original and best in show — and now a fifth. “This year,” Boosilini said, “we’re adding an adult category for best grown-up costume.”

He seemed quite intrigued by that development.

Click here for an earlier post on other parade day activities.

– dotCANTON

Booing will be encouraged on Saturday, Oct. 30, when the 17th annual Collinsville Halloween Parade concludes a day of frightfully fun activities.

Organizers of the “spooktacular procession”are inviting all nearby ghosts, ghouls and goblins to join Boosilini, Jack the Pumpkin King and Dr. Feverstein in the terrifying trip down Main Street. Parade activities begin at 7 p.m.

Members of the Goon Squad will be tossing out candy, and there will be costume and screaming contests before the parade creeps and crawls down Main. The haunted belly dancers will perform for the crowd, as will others from DANCE by Kristin and Farmington Valley Dance.

Commemorate T-shirts will be available this year, and participants will be able to pose for portraits at the photo booth. All proceeds will benefit the Collinsville Artists Initiative.

During the afternoon before the parade, the River City Art Center and the Village Sweet Shoppe will hold a pumpkin carving contest on River Street from 1 to 4 p.m., with prizes for adults and children. Face painting and bobbing for apples will be among the other activities.

Click here for earlier seasonal posts.