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Boston, MA ·Friday, October 30, 2026·☁️56°

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Getting by with a little help from his friends

Halloween party has big crowd in Rozzie

By Dilani Yogaratnam · October 29, 2026
Getting by with a little help from his friends
Scores came out on Sunday for a Halloween Party at Adams Park in Roslindale Square. · Dilani Yogaratnam
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Business owner Ken Sazama likely won’t have to wonder anymore as to whether his Harvest Park Party, held Oct. 25 in Adams Park, would be a mere one off or an annual event.

The votes have been tallied, and the participants at least, want more of this. From face painting to a giant Connect Four, the space offered parents a chance to enjoy a free beverage while getting photographs in front of an ornate, beautiful balloon display, complete with haystacks. What set Sazama’s Halloween event apart from a typical family fun day was that he included his friends, who ranged from a photographer, a musician, and the owner of the Hive. Pizza was also free. Enhancing the day were the warm reds, oranges and yellows of the leaves on a picturesque autumn day.

In addition to that, the event attracted volunteers from small businesses who then included their friends and family as well, which made it a real web of intertwined local business owners and non-profit oriented individuals which represents the heart of Roslindale Square.

Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd.

Sazama is both the owner of Sazama Real Estate and the Joy Lab Academy, which offers after school education and vacation-week camps for kids. He said he has a background in education and many of his artist friends also have ties to the education field.

His sons’ love of Halloween prompted the event. Soren, 9, and Nathaniel, 13, both have birthdays in late October as well and with their birthdays out of the way, the celebration just continues, he said.

Surveying the smiling faces and many bumble-bee costumes, Sazama said, “It’s working so far.”

Parents showed up in pajama outfits and simple witch costumes, while the kids ranged from Michael Jackson, animals, princesses, a Minion and a Mighty Morphin’ Power Ranger.

One of the volunteers, Mahogany Payne, said she lost three children to gun violence, yet she said she is drawn to volunteer opportunities such as this as it brings her joy to see smiling faces. She said she feels events like this are healing. She also sat near the pizza, doling out slices to adults who said their children were outpacing them on the free treats.

Payne credited her participation to Shiaka McIntosh, owner of Parties from Above, a non-profit known for throwing parties for children who have experienced loss through gun violence. McIntosh volunteered to decorate the Halloween event, which she admitted she felt was a little “Plain Jane,” at least initially.

McIntosh first heard about Sazama’s event through her affiliation with a youth choir, who suggested she lend her design skills. McIntosh said, “Honestly, my mind is blown seeing families getting their pictures taken in front of what I created. You go from an idea to fruition. Ken offered to employ us, but people volunteered.”

She credited Sazama for providing the community with artistic opportunities and families with a fun-filled day.

Sazama said he loves throwing events like this and then proceeded to highlight his many associates, including the educational director of the Joy Lab, Anshu Arora. She said she promotes project-based learning and pointed out the make-your-own-mask materials at her tent. She also had a game with magnets, board games promoting math skills, and a large Connect Four game, where a child in a Power Ranger costume said playfully to his mother, dressed in a onesie, “You’re cheating!”

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But he also released all the pieces, began the game again, only to say once more, “You’re cheating.” No one likes to lose. But it was all in good fun, on a warm and mild October day.

Seated at a little table with toys was young Aaron Hirsch. One would be tempted to ask where the adult was, but he said he was the business owner, who appeared no more than 12. He said his toys are from a 3D printer and he sells at low prices. “Everyone is happy,” he said, composed like an adult, but open, as a child. His favorite toy to sell is a crystal dragon but he didn’t have time on this occasion. If he did have them he said they sell quickly. In front of his stand was a QR code for Venmo payments, attached to his father’s account. When asked about that, he simply said, “I’m too young for Venmo.”

Seated side by side in a double stroller were Irvilly, 4, dressed as Tinkerbell, and Praise, 1, dressed as Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. Parents Emily and Irvin, from Dorchester, said they saw the event online and could not pass up the chance to have fun with the kids.

Sara Wechsler and her four-and-a-half year old daughter, who looked like a cat, said they loved the face painting and pizza the most. From Jamaica Plain, she said it sounded like a fun community-building event.

Evelyn Vazquez, of Roslindale, said she has attended Halloween costume events before which are usually located by the stores, she said. This is the first Halloween kids event in Adams Park. Her grandson, Leo, dressed as a Minion, and her friend were some of the first people at the event. Leo struggled to keep his costume on as he chatted with his grandmother about the fun activities.

Adults Nancy Ryan, dressed as a sunflower, and Nathan Eckstron, dressed as a bumble bee said they were friends with Sazama and came out to support his business but were also having fun with the season. Their kids were dressed as bats. They all stood in line for some free fall drinks before posing their picture, in the photography area.

Owner of Hive Events, Lance Davis, said he is friends of Sazama and offered up free beverages and urged many to enjoy an array of non-alcoholic drinks. Normally, he said he hosts a beer garden at the Loring Greenough House in Jamaica Plain.

While most of the parents were festive, one parent, Vanessa, of Roslindale, put a lot of effort into her costume as the Joker, rivaling Jack Nicholson, while her son Alexander, was dressed as a stylish Michael Jackson, from his early days.

Once again, the votes are in, residents want more of this type of event which includes an opportunity for family fun and local businesses and non-profit organizations – a forum to shine through with creative efforts including volunteers across Boston who delight in being of service to others.

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Little Princesses got their faces dolled up for the season · Dilani Yogaratnam

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