Thursday, October 3, 2019
www.plainvillecitizen.com
Volume 16, Number 35
Pumpkin fest returns Oct. 19 After 40 years, recreation director steps aside By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
Ghouls, ghosts and goblins will once again wander through downtown. The 5th annual Plainville Pumpkin Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 19.
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
The longest-serving employee at Town Hall, Recreation Director Colin Regan, has retired after 40 years.
Starting at 4:45 p.m., hundreds of children cloaked in Halloween costumes – guided by one of the bands from the Middle School of Plainville – will march from the Recreation Department on Whiting Street to the library.
Regan’s final day was Sept. 13. He could not be reached for comment for this story.
Borio said Regan’s legacy will be the numerous projects during his tenure. “I was astounded when I went back to look at all the projects,” she said. “We didn’t have (Tomasso) Nature Park, we didn’t have a skate park.” Town Manager Robert Lee said Regan was adept at coordinating numerous requests for use of facilities in town and keeping them in good shape.
Also, between 4 and 8 p.m., some 14 food trucks and 50
vendors will be set up in the downtown area, a haunted house will be held in the caverns of the Frederick-
The centerpiece of the festival, a massive pumpkin raised by competitive grower Gary Vincent, of Plainville, is expected to return this year.
Regan
“From my perspective and I think the Town Council’s perspective, our recreational facilities and our recreational programs are very top notch,” he said. “We have a lot of park facilities that he has overseen the development of, including the pool.” Borio’s other accomplishments include the Elizabeth Berner Pool at Norton Park, which opened in 1996, and a Little League complex at Trumbull Park. See Regan, A8
Franklin Freemason Lodge and a band will perform in front of Town Hall.
The gourd was the focal point of the first three festivals, but the delicate behemoth was absent last year after it was damaged. If all goes well, Vincent’s pumpkin will be set up in front of Town Hall. Children run in front of the library during the 2018 Plainville Pumpkin Festival.
See Fest, A8
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“People we haven't seen for years have extended their congratulations … he’s just a people person,” said Recreation Department Administrative Assistant Nancy Borio.
The Plainville Pumpkin Festival returns to downtown Saturday, Oct. 19. This picture was taken during the 2017 event.