thePULSEHalloween Takes Over the Canal District
By Paul Giorgio
Get ready, Halloween lovers! On Saturday, October 27, Worcester’s Canal District becomes home to Canalloween, Worcester’s biggest Halloween party, for the second year in a row.
The grown-up fun starts at 3pm when the Scary Monster 5K Run kicks off on Temple Street and ends at the Hibernian Cultural Center (there is also a 1K Kids’ Run starting at 2:30pm). Runners are encouraged to run in costume. The 5K race course will follow the route of the Canal Diggers’ 5K and loop down Green Street to Kelly Square, down Water Street and over to McGrath and Major Taylor Blvds before heading down Main St. to Franklin and back to Temple St.
The race, which is part of Canalloween, is the first road race of its kind in Worcester and, according to race organizers Charley Breagy and John Franco, promises to be an exciting event. Shares Breagy, “You will have at least 1000 runners ~ costume optional ~ running & walking a 5k course in the Canal District.” “This will bring activity early on a Saturday afternoon to the Canal District,” added Franco.
Next, runner or not, join the post- race fun at the watering holes and restaurants in the Canal District that will be holding Halloween parties all evening and night. There’s also a parade that kicks off at 4pm, with music and groups of zombies taking over Water Street; all ages are encouraged to put on their best costumes and march in the parade.
According to event organizers, “The Canal District in Worcester is the perfect venue for this sort of event. The scale of the streets makes for a fun environment. Once you add in the restaurants, clubs and bars, you have something for everyone.” Besides Christmas, more money is spent on Halloween than any other “holiday,” and each year it’s becoming more and more of an adult-centered celebration. This could be the event that the city has been looking for to attract out-of-towners for a night of Fright and Fun, event organizers predict. What better place to spend it than in Worcester’s spookiest neighborhood!
The lineup for the parade was still being put together as we went to press, but event organizers hope to have a least 2 bands and several marching groups, including the zombies, who will make their way throughout the Canal District, adding a festive atmosphere to the area.
Sponsoring the event, which is produced by Pagio, the parent company of Pulse Magazine, are Atlas Distributors, who distribute Guinness, Wachusett Pale Ale, and Coors Light, The Halloween Outlet, the WCCVB, and Pepsi.
The media sponsors are Pulse Magazine, tasteworcester.com, WXLO, The Pike, & 98.9 FM, as well as WCRN-860 Am. We also welcome GolocalWorcester.com as a new sponsor this year.
Keep checking www.canalloween.com for a complete listing of activities and a link to the Scary Monster Dash…and we’ll see you on October 27!
