BIA’s Tiny Tot parade brings Halloween to the downtown

by Sylene Argent

Area youngsters proudly showed off their Halloween costumes on Thursday morning as the Essex Centre BIA hosted the annual Tiny Tots Trick-or-Treat parade along Talbot Street.

  Despite the cold and rainy weather, many youngers eagerly collected candy along Essex Centre’s downtown corridor from area business owners.

  Because partnerships are key, the Essex Centre BIA reached out to Essex District High School to ask for help handing out candy. Around 25 leadership students obliged to the request, and dressed up to participate. As a show of appreciation for their efforts, the Essex Centre BIA provided the students with a pizza luncheon.

  The Essex Centre BIA was also pleased to get help from Libro Credit Union, which provided staff members to man the barricades during the event.

  Every year, the Essex Centre BIA hosts the Tiny Tots Parade as a way to give back to the community for the continued support shown to local businesses, and to get people on foot to walk the downtown area to see what services and products are offered.

  The event also promotes the importance of sharing as families were asked to donate non-perishable food donations to participate. Thanks to the generosity of the community, a sizeable donation was made to each the Essex Salvation Army and the Essex Area Food Bank.

  Next, the Essex Centre BIA will launch its 2019 E$$ex Centre Downtown Dollar$ voucher sales on November 12 from Libro Credit Union, which will provide area shoppers and service users with the opportunity to purchase vouchers, up to a limit of $500, at a 15 percent discount. The Essex Centre BIA covers the cost difference, and they are accepted at participating area businesses until February 28, 2020. The program encourages shopping locally around the holiday season.  

  The Essex Centre BIA will team up with the Essex Salvation Army to host the annual Tree Lighting event, to take place at the Essex Municipal Building starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 22. There will be carolling by the tree and live music as the Essex Salvation Army kicks off its Christmas Kettle Campaign.

  The Essex Centre BIA is still accepting applications for the Win this Space program. Entrepreneurs have until 10 a.m. on Friday, November 8 to submit an application to be considered to participate in the contest that will provide up to $1000 a month for a year to one lucky winner to put towards rent at a pre-approved Essex Centre storefront.

  For more information about Essex Centre BIA events, programs, and contest rules, log onto essexbia.com.