For those of you looking for thrills and chills, here are more events to check out:
Shokan Square Scout Scare
The Shokan Square Scout Scare operates every weekend in October. It’s getting great feedback, like this Mom who shared, “it was soooo good, people need to know about it.” Boy Scout Troop 163 hosts this haunted house and gift shop evening on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 4 to 9 p.m.; Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.; and on Halloween from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission costs $13, or save by buying advance online tickets for $9.
Shokan Square is located at 3110 State Route 28 in Shokan. For tickets or more information, call (845) 657-8775 or e-mail scoutscare@hvc.rr.com or online at www.facebook.com/scoutscare.
Tombstone Tours & kids’ scavenger hunt in New Paltz
Historic Huguenot Street hosts Night Shift Tombstone Tours on Saturday, October 19. Tours run hourly from 6 to 10 p.m. and explore “historical burial practices, mourning customs and tombstone symbolism,” and storytelling takes place around the campfire on the DuBois Fort Visitor Center lawn. Check-in and tickets are available at the Visitor Center, located at 81 Huguenot Street. Tickets cost $18 at the door, or $15 for advance registration and for current members of Historic Huguenot Street.
Then, on Saturday, October 26 from 2 to 4 p.m., Historic Huguenot Street hosts a children’s scavenger hunt. Registration takes place on the day of the event at the DuBois Fort Visitor Center, where children will receive their first clue. Admission costs $8 per child and includes a paper Halloween craft, refreshments and prizes for participants who complete the scavenger hunt. The activity is open to children of preschool age and up; costumes are not required, but encouraged.
For more information about these Historic Huguenot Street events, call (845) 255-1889 or visit www.huguenotstreet.org.
Scarecrows at Frog Alley in Kingston
Scarecrows in Frog Alley, Kingston: What a great way to experience a historic corner of the world while being just across from delicious Deising’s Bakery and just down the street from the Parent Teacher Store and the excellent Half Moon Books, with its equally excellent Thrift Shop downstairs! This second annual scarecrow event offers visitors a chance to connect with some important city heritage by taking place alongside the ruins of the Louw-Bogardus House.
A pumpkin-carving demonstration and scarecrow-crafting lessons for children are offered as part of the day’s activities, which run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is encouraged to create and enter your own scarecrow for judging, and scarecrows designed by area businesses and artists will be on display throughout the day. Prizes will be awarded for Best Design, Most Original Concept and Most Frightening Creation.
Frog Alley is located in Uptown Kingston. For more information, call (845) 339-0720 or e-mail fhkevents@yahoo.com.
Longyear Farm Day in Woodstock
One privilege of living in the Hudson Valley is the opportunity for any of us to connect with a local farm and really feel like “This is my farm.” This Saturday, October 19 at 2 p.m., head for Longyear Farm Day and give your kids a chance to feel right at home on the farm. This family-friendly event includes activities for the kids such as crafts, storytelling, lawn games, cider-pressing, roving musicians, puppetry and food: Longyear’s grass-fed burgers and vegetarian options.
Admission for adults costs $15, $5 for kids over age 3 are, and all proceeds benefit the Woodstock Land Conservancy. Longyear Farm is located at Schoonmaker Lane in Woodstock. For more information, call (845) 679-6480 or visit ulsterpub.staging.wpenginelandconservancy.org.
Family Fun Festival at Ashokan Center in Olivebridge
If an event takes place at the Ashokan Center, you know that it means: good times; cool people; roots music; happy boot stomp; sweet woodsy air; peace. If you need a dose of any of that, then go to Ashokan’s Family Fun Festival on Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m. Activities include a hayride, apple-cidering, blacksmithing, broommaking, pumpkin-painting, nature hikes and more. Dance along with Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower, as well as Jay & Molly and the Walker Family Band.
Admission to the festival costs $5. The Ashokan Center is located at 477 Beaverkill Road in Olivebridge. For more information, call (845) 657-8333 or visit www.ashokancenter.org.
Sheep & Wool Festival at Dutchess Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck
People always tell me how much they love the Sheep & Wool Festival. This event is one more chance to help our families connect with how something is made in the fiber arts. It takes place on Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children’s activities include special storytelling, Steve Charney & Harry, “Magic, Music & Ventriloquism,” a Mad Science Show, a Leaping Llama event and more.
Admission costs $12 at the gate, and discounted tickets are available online. The Sheep & Wool Festival takes place at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, located at 6550 Spring Brook Avenue (Route 9) in Rhinebeck. For more information, visit www.sheepandwool.com.
Join the family! 
