It’s that time of year, Halloween, when leaves fall and there’s always something spooky around. It is also the time of year when the windows of our downtown stores are painted. This is known as the Boro Spooktacular, and it has been happening for 50 years. This event is sponsored by the Borough and is a yearly event for schools all over the district. 25 students from each school get picked based on design, and with the cooperation of all the stores, to get their windows painted. It is also a district-wide competition determined by a judge.
Today, we got the chance to ask Mr. Finaldi, in charge of our event, some questions about the event and how it all started.
Q: How does the competition work?
A: “So it juried and the prizes for first, second, and third, and people who get the prizes, the students, their plaques and trophies, there is a big trophy for first place, students who win are honored at the Board of Education.”
Q: What’s your favorite part of the whole event?
A: “Well, I mean, I think the whole preparation for it is a lot of fun, cause it involves pushing the students to think creatively, and it is also very ambitious, these are big, big drawings to be painted. It pushes them out of their comfort zone, and of course, the day of the event is a lot of fun. While the kids are painting, you see the paintings emerge and finalize. You know when it took weeks to prepare.”
Q: How do students get picked to be part of the Spooktacular?
A: “We pick them based on the design they submit, and they are Fine Art 2 and above.”
Q: How do you feel that your student’s artwork is on display?
A: “It’s wonderful, the kids feel great about it, which is even more wonderful, they feel very happy to do it.”
