Bennington Celebrates Halloween with Community-wide Festivities

3–5 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

Bennington was bustling with Halloween festivities last week as schools, local businesses, community organizations and first responders helped bring seasonal fun to families throughout the community.

In addition to the Bennington Jaycees’ annual Trunk or Treat, which took place at Bennington Elementary School (see our previous article), several other events gave children and families opportunities to celebrate Halloween, enjoy activities and collect plenty of candy.

Bennington High School kicked things off Wednesday, Oct. 28, with its annual Badger Boo, transforming the school into a Halloween destination for hundreds of local kids.

Students and teachers decorated their classrooms and handed out candy, with each room offering its own theme and activities. A Spanish classroom celebrated Día de los Muertos, while members of the basketball teams set up basketball challenges for kids to try their best shots. The library also featured several activity stations, where kids could play games like tic-tac-toe and bowling for a chance to win extra candy.

People and children in costumes gather in a Halloween-decorated room with colorful lights, a pumpkin decoration, and an inflatable purple dragon.
Crowded Halloween event with children, families, games, and a large inflatable jack-o'-lantern decoration indoors
A woman helps a young child dressed in a pink-and-yellow costume while seated in a classroom.
Two children in colorful costumes pose with a Coco-themed photo frame in front of a vibrant Día de los Muertos backdrop.

Throughout the school, children made their way through decorated hallways, winding through mazes and crawling through tunnels constructed from desks. TeamMates of Bennington welcomed families into the school as the first stop for candy and swag. The event provided a fun and safe trick-or-treating environment for children of all ages while giving high school students and staff an opportunity to participate in the community’s Halloween celebrations.

The festivities continued Friday, Oct. 30, when the Bennington Public Library hosted its annual Freaky Fun Friday. Activities extended beyond the library and into the park outside, with community partners joining together to provide an afternoon of Halloween entertainment for local families.

Six people in Halloween costumes pose with magnifying glasses in front of a spooky-themed display.
Children and adults gather outdoors in a grassy area, with some children wearing Halloween costumes and a stroller in the foreground.
Community gathering with people serving food at picnic tables in a park playground during autumn
Children in Halloween costumes gather on a grassy lawn during a community trick-or-treat event.
People gathering in a tree-lined park near a playground on an autumn day
Child and adults gather around a table with bowls of candy and water during an outdoor activity on a porch.
Children in Halloween costumes participate in a library event beneath a Freaky Fun Friday sign.
People in Halloween costumes gather in a decorated community room with hanging black fabric, purple lighting, and a photo booth.
Families and children in Halloween costumes gather in a tree-filled park for a community event.
Child in a blue costume smiling beside a person dressed as a large pink sea creature at an outdoor fall event
Children play a duck fishing game at an outdoor event while a person in a dinosaur costume watches.
Children in costumes and adults gather at a picnic table for a fall craft activity under a wooden gazebo.
Children and adults gather around tables for a colorful arts and crafts activity in a community room.
Two smiling people in autumn clothing hold golden retriever puppies outdoors, with one person wearing a fake mustache and black hat.

Above: Photos Courtesy of Bennington Public Library

Children could enjoy everything from coloring and classic games to temporary tattoos and a photo booth, offering a variety of activities for visitors of all ages.

Library Director Lisa Flaxbeard said the event saw an impressive turnout, thanks in part to the cooperation of the weather and the many community members and organizations who helped make it possible.

“We were very happy the weather cooperated and we had a great turnout! We estimated close to 400 people turned out- kids and families, volunteers, and our generous community partners who provided all the fun activities,” she said.

Friends of the Bennington Library, Bennington Teammates, Kiddie Academy, i3Bank, Bennington Anytime Fitness, PAWS for Friendship Therapy Dogs, Badger Buddies 4-H, and Mirror Air Photobooth by Dunning Music and Entertainment were the community partners who participated to make this event possible.

The Halloween fun continued Saturday, Oct. 31, with a new addition to Bennington’s seasonal festivities. Bennington Farms, the recently-opened locally-owned mercantile located just off Highway 36, hosted its first Boo Bash.

Yellow market tent displaying locally made baked goods, preserves, and farm products.
Outdoor market stall with two vendors, handmade pottery, string lights, and an illuminated OPEN sign

Above: Photos Courtesy of Bennington Farms

The morning event brought together several local vendors, giving visitors an opportunity to shop while enjoying the Halloween atmosphere. Children stopping by were treated to candy and drinks, making it a fun outing for the whole family. The store also remained open through the afternoon, allowing shoppers additional time to browse the locally offered products and goods.

Rounding out Halloween celebrations, Bennington Fire & Rescue continued its annual tradition of bringing Halloween treats directly to neighborhood streets while also participating in nearby Trunk or Treat events.

Each Halloween, the fire crew takes the department’s firetruck around Bennington neighborhoods during trick-or-treating hours, handing out candy to children along the way. This year, the crew spent time in Anchor Pointe and downtown Bennington, giving families an opportunity to enjoy the excitement of seeing the firetruck while collecting Halloween treats. The department also joined other local Trunk or Treat festivities to help make the holiday special for area children, including the event hosted by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Children and firefighters gather beside a red fire truck during an outdoor community event.
People gather beside a red Bentrington suburban fire protection fire truck outside a community center.

Above: Photos Courtesy of Nichol Johnson, Bennington Firefighters Memorial Foundation

FF/EMT Cole Keller said getting out into the community is one of the highlights of the holiday.

“It’s pretty awesome to go out on Halloween and see everybody dressed up and having a good time,” he said. “It was a blast to hand out candy and it seemed like the kids loved it. Not just the candy but the fire truck as well.”

The candy handed out by firefighters is provided by the Bennington Firefighters Memorial Foundation, helping make the annual tradition possible year after year.

From the halls of Bennington High School to the library, local businesses and neighborhood streets, this year’s Halloween festivities offered plenty of ways for families to celebrate. The events also highlighted the many organizations, volunteers and community members who continue to make Bennington a fun place to call home.

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