NEWPORT –– Downtown Newport was buzzing with excitement on Saturday as the annual Pumpkin Palooza and the new Halloween Scavenger Hunt took over the streets.
The event saw an impressive turnout of 788 attendees at the Goodrich Memorial Library alone, with local businesses reporting an influx of trick-or-treaters and Halloween enthusiasts.
Perfect weather conditions further amplified the festive spirit, ensuring that the streets were filled with joy and what Newport City Downtown Development (NCDD) Director Rick Ufford-Chase described as “barely controlled chaos.”
Highlights from the day included a pumpkin carving contest, with categories accommodating all age groups. Businesses too got a slice of the action, competing in their own category. A Halloween costume parade also added to the spirited atmosphere.
Another significant attraction was the first ever Halloween Scavenger Hunt hosted by NCDD. The hunt boasted participation from 24 teams. Families, including grandparents with their grandchildren, actively engaged in the hunt, reinforcing the city’s aim of creating a full afternoon of family-centric events.
