A (Little) Less-Scary Halloween

When good weather combines with the approach of Halloween on the last Saturday before Oct. 31, the annual Safe Trick or Treat event held in Basking Ridge center can attract about a thousand trick or treaters and their parents, said Al LiCata, executive director of the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce.

This year's Safe Trick or Treat, during which children can expect to recieve free "treats" of various kinds from about three dozen merchants, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. The activities and giveaways will be centered along South Finley Avenue and surrounding streets, in the downtown of Basking Ridge.

LiCata said he came up with the idea about 15 years ago to provide the business community a way to "give back" to the community and, at the same time, have a time period in which to showcase their goods and services. "From there, it's grown to approximately three dozen participants member businesses," LiCata said on Monday.  

He said the event is always the Saturday before Halloween, unless the Far Hills Race Meeting, better known as the Steeplechase Hunt races, fall upon the same day. The date then would be moved, he said.

Church bells kick off the activity, LiCata said.

The chamber event is designed to "bring people together in a positive manner and celebrate the spirit of community," LiCata said.

The Basking Ridge Patch before Halloween 2010.