Ongoing Initiatives
Halloween Decorations
Scarecrows on the lamp posts and seasonal decor turn downtown Rochester NH into a Halloween destination all October long.
Come October, downtown transforms: scarecrows climb the lamp posts and seasonal decor turns Main Street into an event of its own. The decorations set the stage for a packed month of downtown happenings and give every visit a little extra atmosphere, proof that beautification doesn’t have to be serious to be effective.
A packed October
The decor is the backdrop for the busiest stretch of the fall calendar. The Halloween Spooktacular & Pumpkin Patch opens the month with candy and games, the Zombie Walk takes over the sidewalks after dark, and Downtown Trick-or-Treat sends families door to door through the participating businesses. Scarecrows overhead make every photo from all three look like it belongs on a postcard.
Who puts it all up
Design Committee volunteers hang, mount, and wire the whole district in the days before October, and take it all down again in November. It is a surprising amount of ladder work, and it is some of the most photographed volunteer effort we produce all year.
If you want to help hang scarecrows, or want your storefront on the participating map, get in touch or check the volunteer page as fall approaches.
Halloween Decorations: your questions answered
When do the Halloween decorations go up in downtown Rochester?
As October begins, with scarecrows climbing the lamp posts and Central Square dressed for the season. They stay up through the whole month's run of events: the Spooktacular, the Zombie Walk, and Downtown Trick-or-Treat.
Can my business get decorations or join in?
Yes. The Spooktacular and Trick-or-Treat both rely on participating businesses handing out candy and joining the fun, and plenty of shops decorate their own windows to match. Contact us to be added to the participating list.
More ongoing initiatives
Student Art Walk
A two-part program with local schools that hangs student art in downtown Rochester NH storefronts and hides painted rocks across the district.
Sign & Facade Grant
Matching funds that help downtown Rochester NH property and business owners invest in signage, facades, and exterior improvements.
Richard Southard Historic Preservation Grant
A grant honoring Richard Southard that helps downtown Rochester NH property owners preserve and restore historic architecture.
