Johnson: Plans fun, spooky Halloween

On Sunday, Oct. 29, the town will be humming with spooky and fun Halloween festivities. To begin Sunday on the right foot, Johnson Recreation will be hosting a Halloween 5k or 1K walk or run at 10 a.m. at Old Mill Park. This fun run and walk is free, and costumes are highly encouraged. Treats will be given to participants and spectators alike.

From 1-3 p.m. there will be a Halloween costume party at the community oven on Legion Field. The Community Oven Committee will be serving up its famous wood-fired hand pies, warm cider, coffee (donated by Jenna’s Promise), and apple cider donuts. There will be a massive leaf pile for jumping in, activities, games and live music. Come dressed in your costume and bring your family and friends.

All weekend long there will be a pop-up haunted house in the Pomerleau building that used to house Sterling Market. Mark your calendars: Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Showings suitable for adults and young adults. There will be two matinee options that will be family friendly: both days from noon-3 p.m.

There will be a $5 entrance fee, and the coordinators ask that this is a substance free event and to please leave your dogs at home. Whether you choose the frightful evening showings or the spooktacular family friendly matinee, this will be an event you will not want to miss.

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There are note-worthy art installations in Johnson’s two beloved galleries that are free and open to the public to enjoy. At the Julian Scott Memorial Gallery in Dibden Center for the Arts at the Vermont State University campus, Ken Leslie’s “A Retrospective” show will be on display through Nov. 10.

Leslie is a retired fine arts faculty member from the Johnson campus who is known for his 360-degree panoramas painted on large, folded wheels of paper, often depicting changing seasons or the span of a day. At Minema Gallery on Main Street in Johnson, Jo Weiss is showing “Absence/Presence” through Dec. 2.

— Jasmine Yuris, jasmine.yuris@gmail.com