Downtown Rutland dresses up for Halloween
“Windows on Parade” to fill Downtown Rutland with Ghosts of Halloweens Past
The parade won’t fill Downtown Rutland’s streets with skeletons, ghouls and floats this year, but that’s not stopping the historic district from celebrating Halloween.
Volunteers from the Rutland Halloween Parade, the Downtown Rutland Partnership, and Awesome Graphics are hanging past parade photos in businesses and empty storefronts for “Downtown Windows on Parade,” which will be on display starting Saturday, October 24th through Halloween.
The idea originated from Norma Montaigne, the creator of the Rutland Halloween Parade’s dancing skeletons, who was determined to find a way to celebrate Halloween in a COVID-19 friendly format. Montaigne died in August, but organizers of the “Downtown Windows on Parade” carried on her plans in her memory.
Over 25 photos from the Rutland Herald and Rutland Historical Society collections can be found throughout Downtown Rutland for the entire week to showcase the rich history of the Rutland Halloween Parade, a city tradition for the past 60 years.
The Downtown Rutland Partnership hopes this alternative event will bring families and individuals to the area where they will explore the rich history of Halloween Parades past, in addition to giving them the opportunity discover the many dining, shopping and business establishments that the district has to offer.
“Halloween is a very special time in Downtown Rutland,” said Nikki Hindman, Marketing and Events Director at the Downtown Rutland Partnership. “The last hurrah before the holiday season begins is the perfect time to visit restaurants and shops.”
Historical parade participants Casella, Inc. and Killington Resort will be decorating empty storefronts on Merchants Row. Many businesses around Downtown Rutland have already hung decorations in anticipation for the upcoming holiday.
Visitors will be able to view a map of all the photo locations as well as a spooktacular display of jack o’lanterns at the Mead Building on the corner of Center Street and Merchants Row.
For more information visit downtownrutland.com or email info@downtownrutland.com.