BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM – The annual Fright Night is set to kick off on Thursday, Oct. 26, on Market Street from 5-7 p.m., and scores of young goblins, ghouls, ghosts, witches, monsters, heroes and other characters are expected to attend for trick or treating at downtown businesses.

The annual event, organized by the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, promises to be one of the biggest yet in the event’s history, said chamber director Megan Mulvenna.

“This year, we are excited to announce that most storefronts on Market Street will be handing out candy,” Mulvenna said. “In addition, we have a large number of outlying businesses in Potsdam that will be decorating a trunk and will be handing out candy at this year’s event! This year’s Fright Night will be our biggest one yet, and I cannot wait to see how the families and the community will benefit from this amazing event!”

The director said there will be more trunks this year with “amazing” themes.

In addition, The Potsdam Dance Company is going to perform again at 5 p.m.

“Their performances are always extraordinary, and I cannot wait to see what this year’s dance team has in store for us,” said Mulvenna.

Also new this year at Fright Night, the Children’s Museum will host a Slime Spectacular event, and Bjorn Fitness is also hosting a new Monster Mash at their location in Market Square Mall. Both events will be completely free.

Several hundred children were estimated to have attended last year’s event, and the director believes this year will turn out even more.

“With all our events we had last year, and having all of our trunks on Market Street gave us a huge turnout that was unexpected. We were so happy with the success of the event. This year, with our new additions and looking at the success from last year, I am sure the event will have an even bigger turnout and will be fun for the whole family,” Mulvenna said.

The director said she predicts Mario will be one of the most popular costumes this year with the success of the recent movie.

“My favorite thing about Fright Night is always seeing all the amazing costumes and guessing what they are dressed up as,” she said.

The director said her other favorite thing is seeing all of the businesses participate and the community coming together to enjoy the holiday.

“The best thing I can tell families about this year’s Fright Night is that it will not be an event you will want to miss! Our community has gone all out in amazing Halloween activities and amazing trunks that will be exciting to visit,” Mulvenna said. “Each year is bigger and better than the last and it was such a success. I can tell you with certainty that this year will not disappoint. I look forward to seeing all our families and their amazing costumes. Every year this is one event I love assisting in planning and seeing the excitement that it brings to our amazing Potsdam community.”