The Norwitch Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in downtown Norwich, with the Norwich Family YMCA’s Halloween parade beginning at noon. A trunk-or-treat will follow the festival in the Frontier parking lot. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – Downtown Norwich will host a full day of Halloween activities on Saturday with the Norwitch Festival and the Norwich Family YMCA’s annual Halloween parade, followed by a trunk-or-treat.

The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in East and West parks, closing out with the final Saturday in the Park with Chobani.

Event coordinator Mindy Chawgo said more than 100 local vendors will participate. Activities will include pumpkin carving, Disney princess photo opportunities, face painting and artists. Columbus Public House will have a chicken barbecue ready at 11 a.m.

“You can get everything you need for fall and you can start shopping for Christmas," Chawgo said.

Chawgo said organizers are working to make downtown an inviting destination and offer “a family fun event for everyone that visits the festival and downtown Norwich.”

The Norwich Family YMCA’s Halloween parade will begin at noon on South Broad Street at Francis Avenue. The route continues north through downtown, passing between East and West parks before turning left onto Fair Street and ending behind the Red Roof Inn.

An award ceremony for children in kindergarten through sixth grade will follow on the steps of the Chenango County Courthouse. Children may enter the costume contest even if they did not participate in the parade.

“It’s great to see the families out together,” YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen said in Commerce Chenango announcement, “They’re participating; they’re watching; they’re cheering. It’s just another amazing event that highlights all things that are good in a small town.”

The Chenango SPCA will hold a pet costume contest, with festival-goers voting for their favorite costumed animals.

Two winning pets will be selected, with each owner receiving a gift bag containing $150 worth of pet products.

Other things to look for include live music, food trucks, hayrides, and kids’ events.

The festival will continue until 3 p.m., followed by a trunk-or-treat in the Frontier parking lot on the east side of East Park. Chawgo said Live Events will host the trunk-or-treat with more than 20 local businesses, nonprofit organizations and families. Chobani is sponsoring the event.

Participants will distribute candy and other items, including toys, coloring books and toothbrushes. Live music and a balloon artist are also planned.