Halloween Parade Turns Main Street Into Treat Street
We know that the presidential election is probably stressing out one side or the other, or perhaps both today, so we thought a look at the smiles and joy and unity everyone felt at one of Westport's favorite family events might be a wonderful diversion.
Here are the photos of all the clever, inventive and very cute trick-or-treaters who stormed the Main St. merchants in waves to fill their buckets and bags with Halloween goodies.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.comClick on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
This adorable row of future trick-or-treaters were getting their first glimpse of their futures on Halloweens to come.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In row two above, the photo on the right shows Staples Players who are promoting their upcoming show, ELF The Musical, a hilarious show based upon the contemporary classic film starring Will Ferrell. Santa is being played by Yusef Abdallah and Chloe Carson is playing Jovie.
Seamus Brannigan is playing the lead, Buddy The Elf and he told WestportLocalPress, “it’s one of the most fun roles I have ever played. Seeing the show come together in the rehearsals is getting me more exited than ever for opening night. This family friendly friendly show is great for all ages.”
Tickets are available at www.staplesplayers.com
After storming Main St., the crowd gathered at Veteran's Green for more treats and give-a-ways courtesy of Westport Parks & Recreation, the Police Athletic League and the Westport Downtown Merchant's Association.
The DJ got the crowd dancing in between enjoying the treats everyone received on the way.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Letter from the Editor: Follow the Leader
Birds following their leader high above Main Street on Sunday evening.
From the Editor:
On Halloween night I was able to hand out candy in the Compo Beach neighborhood with one of my fellow EMTs. Though I thought I bought enough candy, we ran out at around 7:30 - just as a group of teenagers walked towards us and our EMS vehicle.
“We’re all out” I shouted, anticipating them turning around or pelting me with eggs.
One of the boys kept walking towards me; I braced for impact as he opened his pillowcase and said “Here! Take what you want for other kids.” As he did this, another boy rushed over and offered his candy, too. If I could have given them every piece of candy that we handed out that night, it still wouldn’t have been enough to show how impacted I was by their act of kindness.
A while later, a toddler ran up to us holding out two Reese’s Cups - his grandfather explaining to me that the child wouldn’t go back to the house without us taking his Reese’s. We ate them immediately as he ran back to his stoop to wave to us as we drove away; peanut butter stuck to the roofs of our mouths.
—I knew I wanted to write an email ahead of the election tomorrow, but knowing that people will be upset regardless of who “wins” challenged me. So I wrote down “candy” in my Notes app as a story for this email, because regardless of any election and who are leaders are: we will be in charge of our own kindness, and we always have been.
Yesterday I sat at Gold’s and, after botching the Wordle, noticed a table of three teenagers. They sat amongst Dunkin Donuts bags and other garbage all over the table. I got annoyed thinking that they would be leaving it to be cleaned up by the staff.
And then, again, I was proved wrong. One stood up, wiped his crumbs into his plate, and took his trash to the bin. The other two followed. They all went back to push in their chairs, and checked to make sure it was clean before they paid and left. I added the phrase “cleaning table” to my Notes app before I walked out, too; making sure my spot was clean, too.
Those two good moments sit amongst an unknown amount of good in our community - some of it noticed, some unnoticed. I’d like to think there’s more good than bad, but that’s just me. I’d also like to think that they have nothing to do with who’s elected because in that moment: they were the leaders; they can’t even vote.
Those two good moments also sit against a stark backdrop of tension and division that unfolds ahead of any political season. I see it in the news, in social media, in conversation. You may see it, too. They aren’t just political comments - they’re personal and designed to hurt. I’d also like to think that they, too, have nothing to do with who’s elected because in those moments: we are the leaders. We are responsible for the hatred or anger that we foster or push.
—I am not confident in what tomorrow’s election will bring.
I am confident that whatever happens tomorrow - however you vote/d - our community will still have good in it come Wednesday morning because our kindness is not reliant on who’s elected, or who isn’t elected.
We always have a choice to follow “the leader” - to fall in line behind them. Who is a “leader”?
I hope as we go through this week, that we all follow the leaders who guide us to be better humans - not just political leaders - but our own local leaders, right down to our local teenagers and toddlers who lead us to remember that we are in control of our own kindness.
Go vote if you haven’t already, and regardless of who our next elected officials are: we are in charge of our kindness, not them.
I’ll remember that every time I have a peanut butter cup stuck to the roof of my mouth.
In partnership,
Jaime Bairaktaris
Westport Celebrates Halloween!
A home in this downtown neighborhood shows it's halloween spirit.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.ei downtown neighborhood
Whether it is the annual Halloween Parade on Main Street, a family favorite in town for years, or the wonderful elaborately decorated Halloween homes all over town, Westport celebrates their love for this fall holiday in a big way. Here are just a few of the spookiest and scariest best!
These Compo Beach neighborhood animatronic cats flexing their muscles certainly gave pause to any canine passers-by who might think of taking them on.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The folks at this Bradley Street home certainly spared no expense or effort in creating an attention grabbing display with this beautiful presentation to show their Halloween spirit.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
C H A M P I O N S ! ! !
The Staples Wreckers defeated the Blue Wave of Darien Tuesday night in Wilton to bring home the FCIAC Championship trophy and medals in a thrilling overtime victory in the rain. Led by Tourney MVP Sofia Hidalgo Schioppa who scored both the tying goal with seconds left on the clock, and then reached down deep to score the winning goal with just over a minute left in the overtime period. The Wreckers broke a 6 game FCIAC title streak by Darien and the Wreckers team was absolutely joyful!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.comClick on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The field was dry until about 7:00 when the rain began to fall, first lightly, then harder creating a challenging situation in the intense play. Coach Ian Tapsall told WestportLocalPress, "Staples had their hardest game of the season so far against, as usual, their biggest rival Darien. After surrendering their 1-0 lead in the second half, Darien went ahead with 1:30 left in the game. Taking the ball straight from the half way line Staples managed to earn a penalty corner with 18 seconds left. Sofia Fidalgo scored to tie it up!"
"With 1 minute left in the first OT Sofia then took the ball 45 yards unopposed to slot home a reverse stick shot to win the game ! Stunning turn around and the most exciting game witnessed."
Photos above show Fidalgo’s winning goal pass between the legs of Darien’s goalie and the joyful Staples players mobbing her!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, left, Staples Principal Stafford Thomas braved the rain, watching the entire game with visible concern as Darien refused to yield. Players on the bench hold hands and cross their fingers for a Staples corner attempt. The dramatic last minute goal by Fidalgo began a frenzied celebration as the team ran to their bench to join Coach Tapsell.
There were hugs all around as the team met mid-field to receive their championship medals, and hoisted the plaque posing for cameras. At right, Principal Thomas took a moment for a pic with MVP Sofia Fidalgo Schioppa and he Mom Lorena making the point that The Wreckers were #1!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of the moments the Staples Wreckers had been working for all season. Next stop, CIAC State Tournament.