BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM — Hundreds of children are expected to show up disguised as witches, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, superheroes and other characters at the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Fright Night Thursday, Oct. 27, from 5-8 p.m. on Market Street.

There will be new and exciting additions to the event, as well some of the event favorites like the Ragamuffin Parade, said Chamber director Megan Mulvenna.

“I am most looking to have the togetherness of the community that events like this bring. As we enter life post-pandemic and have the ability to host events and get the community and businesses involved it really embodies our mission statement. We work so hard to support our businesses and build the community surrounding those businesses,” Mulvenna said.

The chamber has hosted Fright Night in the downtown business district for about 35 years, and the event usually draws scores of children in costume to Market Street to trick-or-treat at area businesses.

This year, the village will close off the lower Market Street block to allow free access for families to trick or treat and take part in activities. Campus groups are volunteering to help guide trick or treaters safely around downtown and across streets.

The chamber stages Fright Night not as a fundraiser but as a way to kick off the holiday season and to promote the businesses downtown, said the chamber director.

“The event has morphed over the years but the same premise is there that we pull families downtown to see what stores we have to encourage them to shop small business and shop local. The opportunity to sponsor this event this year is to be a candy sponsor for a trunk and that will get the businesses a sign by that trunk stating they were a generous candy sponsor,” Mulvenna said.

This year there will be a trunk or treat in addition to any businesses handing out candy.

The best trunk will receive a $25 Potsdam Chamber Gift Card.

There will be costume contest categories for Couples Costume, Best Family Costume, Best Adult Costume, Best Teen Costume, and Best Children’s Costume.

The Potsdam Dance Company will perform, and the Rotary Club will set up the Haunted Hallway.

The Potsdam Food Co-Op will not only have a trunk but offer make-your-own corn husk witches and hand out goodie bags filled with kettle corn and roasted pumpkin seeds.

“I would love to remind parents and trick or treaters of the numerous events we have going on during Fright Night and how much fun it will be together as a community,” said Mulvenna. “Great Northern Printing will be hosting a game of Musical Scares, The Rotary Club will be putting on their Haunted Hallway, The Potsdam Dance Company will be performing, The Potsdam Food Co-Op will be hosting events in their store as well as participating as a trunk, B99.3 will be there with live music, and The Potsdam Chamber of Commerce will be giving away prizes for the best costumes. Also don't forget on 10/29 at 12pm the Ragamuffin Parade will be hosted by the Fire Department. I can't wait to see you all there.”

There is still room for a few more trunks, as well as some business sponsorship opportunities. If interested in sponsoring candy for this event reach out to diretor@potsdamchamber.com.