Westhampton Beach Main Street 'Trick or Treat" Call for Sponsors

Each year the Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce - in conjuction with the five local PTA/Os of the Elementary & Middle Schools in our service district - orchestrates a safe and fun Halloween Parade followed by a "Trick or Treat" event on our local Main Street. This year we are searching for 15 (13 sponsors have come forward - only 2 to go) businesses to sponsor the event as corporate candy sponsors. Over 125,000 pieces of candy - that is over 1,000 pounds of sugary booty - are usually purchased and distributed to the local merchants for distribution at the event. This year participating ghouls, goblins, vampires and little princesses are asked to contribute one can of food or other edible dry good to participate. All items collected during the event will be donated to the local community food pantry here in Westhampton. Main Street in Westhampton Beach will be closed for a an hour and a half to two hours. The street fills up with nearly 3000-4000 people in minutes. It is a spectacle to behold.

Hoping all of you have a safe and happy Halloween in your communities !

Here are some photos of the event from the last two years. Enjoy. Does your community do something similar? Share your community event and some pictures if you have them !

Westhampton Beach is a summer resort community in the Hamptons on Eastern Long Island - two hours east of NYC. The main goal of the event is to show that our village is alive and well in the shoulder season, that the local shops are open year-round and ready to serve.

Although we try and provide as much candy as possible, the merchants usually go above and and beyond the call of duty in making this event great for the local children by buying even more candy and goodies than is allocated by the local Chamber of Commerce. Its all about the kids and encouraging our residents to shop locally on our Main Street instead of at the "Big Box Stores" on the highway! It's all about saving the local brick and mortars of our country!

This year, since Halloween falls on a Sunday, the event will take place after classes on Friday, October 29th, 2010 between 3:15 and 5:15.

Ed Kurosz is the Vice-President of the Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce 2010-2011.