Blackstone schedules holiday events, confirms parade coordination and tree lighting

Town of Blackstone volunteers and officials used their regular meeting to firm up several upcoming holiday events and logistics. Organizers confirmed a Halloween event at Town Hall on Oct. 29 with the first 30 minutes designated as sensory‑friendly for families with special needs. They also discussed Trick‑or‑Treat at Town Hall and agreed to focus on prize‑based games rather than distributing candy at every station.

The board moved the Santa parade item earlier in the agenda so staff from the fire and police departments could discuss coordination. The chief’s note and later comments said the departments will participate with cruisers and fire apparatus; the town discussed using a point‑to‑point route to invite neighboring departments and preserve tradition with the ladder truck now back in service. The board asked the chief for a confirmed parade date and agreed to publicize confirmed details once they are firmed up.

Members set a tree‑lighting for Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. and discussed elements of the HomeTown Christmas celebration, including inviting the high‑school choral groups and a senior‑center choir, and using existing selfie photo stations for this year. For some events the board asked organizers to seek modest waivers or custodial help if school kitchens are used for refreshments.

Quotes reflecting planning priorities included a meeting participant’s announcement that “the first 30 minutes will be sensory friendly to accommodate families with sensory or other special needs,” and Chief Roy’s note that police and fire will participate and that the department is flexible on the route and timing. The meeting produced no formal change to parade date at the time of the meeting; the board asked staff and department heads to confirm the final date before publication.

The board’s next meeting was discussed for early November to finalize remaining logistics and any required expenditure requests.