City approves Running Scared 5K, Halloween parade and Center Street events for Oct. 25

The Board of Aldermen on Sept. 15 approved three special-event permits for Oct. 25: the Running Scared 5K, the city’s Halloween parade, and a Center Street family-activity program plus a post-parade silent disco.

Colleen (last name not specified), the event organizer, said the Running Scared 5K will start at the Georgette Athletic Complex and follow a stroller-friendly route along the creek path and Meadow Street, with a Fall Fun Festival and awards afterward. Registration is $20 for ages 12 and older, and children ages 5–11 can run free if accompanied by an adult. Organizers said they expect up to 200 registrants and have partnered with local sponsors for shirts and race plans.

The Halloween parade permit was approved for an evening route with estimated participation in recent years between about 1,200 and 1,460 people; organizers asked entrants to avoid overly frightening displays and provided guidance for political entries. The Downtown Rutland Partnership asked to use Center Street during closures to host pre-parade family activities and a post-parade silent disco in partnership with Come Alive Outside and the Paramount theater; aldermen approved the permit for an extended event window from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

All permits were approved after motions to suspend the rules so the board could act the same evening. City staff and organizers said police, fire and public works collaboration is required for road closures and staging.

No public safety incidents were reported at the meeting; organizers were reminded to publicize road-closure maps and staging instructions to minimize traffic conflicts on event day.