Reading celebrates community at Downtown Trick-or-Treat & Connected Reading night
(3-minute read)
Hundreds of families filled Main Street on Tuesday, October 28, for Reading’s annual downtown Trick-or-Treat event, visiting local businesses, Town Hall, the Pleasant Street Center, and the Police Department - all while showing off their best spooky, silly, and creative Halloween costumes.
This year’s celebration took place on a sunny, cool fall afternoon, marking a joyful return after last year’s event was canceled at the last minute due to air quality concerns from the Canadian wildfires.
Festivities along Main Street
Kids and families enjoyed candy, activities, and festive displays throughout downtown. The Reading Fire and Police Departments hosted tables and a booth featuring inflatable games and even a mini racecar track, keeping spirits high and little ones entertained.
Costumes covered the full spectrum of creativity - from classics like Ghostbusters, princesses, and football players to standout originals like Bob from Beetlejuice, axolotls, and more than a few imaginative characters that brought smiles and laughs along the way.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, to the officers directing traffic, families, and to the many local businesses who opened their doors and helped make this tradition so special.
Community connections continue at the library
Following the downtown fun, residents headed to the Connected Reading event at the Reading Public Library. Dozens of community organizations and town groups gathered to share resources, answer questions, and highlight opportunities to get involved.
Participating in the community-focused groups & departments:
Town committees
Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment Committee, Community Preservation Act Ad Hoc Committee, Historical Commission, and Killam School Building Committee, among others
Town departments
Office of Equity and Social Justice, Reading Municipal Light Department, Reading Police & Fire Departments, and Killam School Building Committee, among others
Local organizations & services
Friends of Reading Seniors 60+, Black Earth Compost, church groups, POP Huddle, Reading Neighbors Network, Reading Food Pantry, and Reading Scholarship Foundation, among others
The event offered residents a meaningful chance to learn, engage, and connect with neighbors, highlighting the strong sense of community and civic spirit across Reading.
From trick-or-treating to meaningful conversations at the Library, Reading came together for a day full of celebration, connection, and community pride.
