SOUTH DEERFIELD — “I’m a social media popstar!” said Danielle Fields, who was wearing a purple leopard-print dress, as she climbed up into a haywagon during South Deerfield’s 42nd annual Halloween Hayride Monday evening around 6 p.m, held at the elementary school.
Behind her, vampire ninja Lilla Montminy and her sister, pink princess Eliza Montminy, also climbed up into the wagon, which was filled with haybales.
“That’s a sign of the times for sure,” said Doug Montminy, who was chaperoning the youngsters along with his wife, Heather Montminy.
By 5:45 p.m., long lines of kids dressed as super heroes and Disney characters had formed in front of about five tractors, operated by local farmers. About 30 minutes later, the tractor chain pulled away from the curb and headed out on a 45 minute loop through the center of town — led by emergency vehicles with lights flashing.
For some, the event was a continuation of tradition. But for others, it was an introduction to South Deerfield’s tight-knit community.
“We (trick-or-treated) at a couple of houses in the neighborhood (last year), and were sort of blown away by the amount of hayrides going through town,” said Dan Wade, who recently moved into the neighborhood along with his wife, Carey Etchells and their three kids, Eleanor, Madeline and Everett Wade.
The event was sponsored by the Deerfield Police Association, the South Deerfield Fire District and the Lions Club, along with other local organizations and businesses.
“Turn out is early, success is usually amazing. It’s a well attended event,” said Police Chief John Paciorek Jr., adding, “It’s community policing all-day long. Direct interaction with the community. And, of course, we’re always worried about the kids in dark costumes that forget to look both ways.”
Inside the school, South County TRIAD President Sharyn Paciorek helped organize refreshments that the costumed kids enjoyed after the hayride returned.
“This is our way of keeping our children safe, and they’ll do some trick-or-treating after,” Paciorek said, noting volunteer efforts put in by local farmers “from all over Deerfield.”
“It has gradually gotten better and better,” said David Karkut, Lions Club tail twister, who was setting out cups of cider from Clarkdale Fruit Farms and hot chocolate donated by Eaglebrook School. “The Lions Club has been doing this affair for 40-something years.”
On the other side of town at around 7 p.m., the Deerfield Fire Protection District held its annual halloween parade through Old Deerfield.