The crisp fall air is upon us and with it, Halloween. On October 24-26 and November 1-2 Haunted Huguenot Street tours will depart from the DuBois Fort Visitor Center hourly beginning at 4 p.m., with the final tour leaving at 8 p.m. Special interpretations will take place at the Jean Hasbrouck House, the burial ground, the Deyo House and the Abraham Hasbrouck House. Guests will hear legends of hauntings, participate in Mrs. Gertrude Deyo-Brodhead’s infamous Conundrum Party and explore the art of haunted interpretation. On Friday, October 31 from 4 to 6 p.m., children and families are welcome to walk Haunted Huguenot Street, trick-or-treating at the historic houses (the houses will be otherwise closed during this time). And from 7 to 10 p.m. that night, the street will once again be open for its special interpretations.
Pre-registration is encouraged for the interpretations. The cost is $20 for members, seniors and military and $25 for non-members. Without pre-registration, the cost is $30 at the door.
The Town of Lloyd will celebrate its Halloween in the Hamlet event this Saturday, October 25 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will feature music, food and a lil’ goblins costume parade, 6 p.m., at the Methodist Church. Prizes will be awarded for scariest, prettiest, ugliest, cutest tot, best group, most original and best adult costume; the winners will be announced at 7 p.m. At 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., storyteller Greg Bailey will tell tales of restless souls and curious creatures haunting the Hudson Valley and Ghosts of Lloyd’s Past will be performed by the Highland High School theater club. Dr. Frankenstein’s interactive lab will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will also feature a pumpkin-carving contest (bring pumpkins to Town Hall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, October 25; winners will be announced at 8:15 p.m.), and fire pits with monster marshmallows. For additional information, call 691-2144.
The Lions’ Club Halloween parade in New Paltz will take place on Friday, October 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.
The New Paltz Youth Program (NPYP) will hold its 22nd annual Haunted House for one day only — on Halloween, October 31 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the youth center on Main Street. This year’s theme is “Childhood Nightmares.” The cost is $5. For more information, call 255-5140.
The annual “Night of 100 Pumpkins” will take place at The Bakery on North Front Street in New Paltz on Friday October 31. 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 October 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.
The Town of Gardiner will hold its second annual Pumpkin Walk and Halloween Parade on Tuesday, October 28 at 6 p.m., rain date Wednesday, October 29. Bring a carved pumpkin with a battery light to carry or share on the walkway. The event, geared for young children, will start at the Gardiner Library parking lot and continue through Gardiner, returning to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail area for treats.
The fifth annual Rosendale Zombie Festival and Parade will take place this Saturday, October 25, rain or shine. The parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Willow Kiln Park, located behind the Rosendale Theater. A Zombie makeup booth will be available starting at noon. The march down Main Street will be led by Fre Atlast and her community drum ensemble.
Live music and a costume contest will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Willow Kiln Park. Music will be provided by 9th Wave, Red Neckromancer, The Silverhounds and Project IV. DJ Wayne Manor will be spinning the spookiest vinyl throughout the event. Members from The Forest Of Fear haunted attraction will be hosting the costume contest and prizes will be awarded.
Admission is $5. Non-perishable food items will also be collected for the Rosendale Food Pantry. For additional information, call (516) 749.2233 or (845) 443-3365. Contact Redhopeproductions@yahoo.com if you are interested in vending.
On Saturday, November 1 be spirited away on a five-kilometer trail run through the spooky woods, tunnels and caves of Williams Lake in Rosendale at the fifth annual UlsterCorps Service Sprint and Zombie Escape. Top finishers will receive certificates in gender and age group categories. The event is open to all levels of competitors and includes a free 1K Fun Run for kids, a 5K Zombie Escape timed race and a 1K fitness walk/hike.
Runners participating in the “The Zombie Escape” will be given a health flag belt (two flags each, like flag football) — avoid the zombies and get through the woods with at least one flag and all your brains intact and you will earn an UlsterCorps Zombie Response Team certification card. Runners can also opt to avoid being attacked by zombies and compete in the timed race without wearing the health flags.
Participants in this fun Halloween-themed event are encouraged to wear costumes or represent their favorite local agency or cause. Special awards will be given to best individual costume and best group costume. There will also be a team spirit award. The event will also feature a DJ spinning spooky hits, food and drink and a raffle.
The fun begins with the free kids 1K Fun Run at 11 a.m. and then the 5K timed race will kick off at 11:30 a.m., followed by the 1K fitness walk/hike at 11:45 a.m. Awards and raffle prizes will be given at 12:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.UlsterCorps.org or call (845) 481-0331.
Join the family! 
