The Lions’ Club Halloween Parade will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 31 beginning at 6 p.m. For more than 40 years, the New Paltz Lions have been staging the Halloween Parade, which begins at the middle school and winds its way down Main Street to the Station One Firehouse on Plattekill Avenue where Lions members hand out fresh apples donated by local farmers and treats to kids in their costumes.
The New Paltz Police Department, the village volunteer fire department and the New Paltz Rescue Squad all contribute to the safety and security of the Mardi Gras-like event that draws thousands of community members to Main Street, singing and dancing in scary, creative, clever costumes.
Adding to the celebratory feel of the traditional Halloween Parade has been the New Paltz Middle School band, the New Paltz High School band and a cadre of drums, which provide cadence and eerie sounds at the head of the march. Recently, an eclectic collection of youngsters and adults has been setting the tempo down Main Street. A fog-spewing antique hearse with a “properly prepared” passenger has also become a fixture to add to the fun.
The New Paltz Halloween Parade Band will rehearse on Thursday, Oct. 25 at the community center behind Town Hall from 7 to 8 p.m. All musicians are welcome. Five hours of community service will be awarded for participation.
Night of 100 Pumpkins
The annual “Night of 100 Pumpkins” will take place at The Bakery on North Front Street in New Paltz. For more than a decade, the Bakery has sponsored a pumpkin contest with every imaginable category for various age groups that has inspired some of the most provocative gourd/squash creations that Paltzonians of all ages have dreamed up. Bring a decorated pumpkin to The Bakery on Oct. 30 and you will get a free Jack O’ Lantern cookie in exchange. Following the parade on Halloween night, The Bakery will serve hot cider, cocoa and freshly baked pumpkin bread and the winners of the pumpkin contest will be revealed.
Haunted scavenger hunt on Huguenot Street
A special history-based haunted scavenger hunt will take place on the grounds of Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. Registration is at the DuBois Fort Visitor Center, 81 Huguenot Street, where sleuths will receive the first clue. In addition to the scavenger hunt, there will be a historical musical performance by Paula Revere in Deyo Hall at 3 p.m., a paper craft activity table for young children and special prizes for those who come in costume. Refreshments will be available. The cost is $8 per child; adults are free. For more information, call Rebecca Mackey at 255-1660, ext. 105 or e-mail rebecca@huguenotstreet.org.
Haunted House at the New Paltz Youth Center
The New Paltz Youth Program (NPYP) will hold its 19th annual Haunted House for one day only — on Halloween, Oct. 31 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the youth center on Main Street. The theme is “The Life of a Lunatic.” The cost is $3 for adults and $2 for middle and high schoolers. The production is put on by the staff and participants of the NPYP and is intended to entertain and terrify. It is not recommended for elementary-age children. All proceeds will benefits the NPYP after-school program.
Halloween in the Hamlet
The Town of Lloyd will celebrate its Halloween in the Hamlet event on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. The event will feature music; food; a lil’ goblins costume parade (starts at the Methodist Church at 5:30 p.m. — prizes will be awarded for scariest, prettiest, ugliest, cutest tot, best group, most original); trick or treating through the town; a grown-up costume contest; a pumpkin-carving contest (bring them already carved to Town Hall); Dr. Frankenstein’s interactive lab; a scary scavenger hunt; fire pits with monster marshmallows; and cider and donuts.
For additional information, call 691-2144.
Trick or treat in the Village of Marlboro
The first adult and children’s trick or treat event in the Village of Marlboro will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. Local businesses and civic groups will be wishing everyone a happy Halloween with a greeting and a treat. Little kids will receive candy/cookies/fire trucks and big kids at heart will receive local coupons/savings. The event will start at the Marlboro Elementary School with a “trunk” or treat event and continue through the Village of Marlboro to the grand finale of the haunted house/costume contest at Wile’s Chiropractic. For more information, times and a map of participating locations, visit www.meetmeinmarlborough.com or call 616-7824.
Community trick-or-treat at SUNY-New Paltz dorms
SUNY-New Paltz’s annual Community Trick-or-Treat will takes place on Sunday, Oct. 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. SUNY opens every residence hall to area families with children ages 12 and under to do activities in the common areas, such as face-painting, coloring, dancing, crafting, snacking, crawling through a maze and more. The students also give guided tours of the dorm for trick-or-treating. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.newpaltz.edu.
Join the family! 
