“In October sun, it’s all gold – sky and tree and water. Everything just before it changes looks to be made of gold.”
– Eudora Welty
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
Halloween Spooktacular at Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum
All right, everyone, we only have a couple more weeks before we transition into Thanksgiving mode. Let’s make the most of October spooky and fall fun for all ages!
Do your kids love visiting the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum? Then get your family tickets for the Halloween Spooktacular taking place this Friday, October 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is a not-so-scary event, and activities include hands-on art, a costume parade and trick-or-treating. Tickets cost $8 for members, $12 for non-members and may be purchased online at www.facebook.com/midhudsonchildrensmuseum/events.
The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is located at 75 North Water Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 471-0589 or visit www.mhcm.org.
Haunted Huguenot Street returns to New Paltz
Looking for a haunted evening activity tied in with local history? Something PG-rated, rather than horror? Haunted Huguenot Street has tours highlighting legends and history of Huguenot Street taking place on October Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m., with extended hours on Saturday, October 31. Guests will visit various Huguenot Street sites along the tour, and a campfire and decorations will help visitors feel immersed in the experience.
Tickets cost $30 at the door, $25 for non-members and $20 for members, seniors, military and students when pre-purchased with the code HAUNTED. Huguenot Street is located off Route 32 North in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-1660 or visit www.huguenotstreet.org.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
Día de los Muertos at Tivoli Free Library
Interested in widening your children’s horizons with hands-on cultural experiences? Take your familia of all ages to the Tivoli Free Library for a Día de los Muertos program, or Day of the Dead. It’s my daughter’s favorite holiday ever since she learned about it in art class.
On Saturday, October 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, families drop in any time and make cascarones, colorful, confetti-filled eggs used as party favors; create retablos, whimsical or devotional votives; decorate skull sugar cookies; and see a dance performance by the Mid-Hudson Mexican Folkloric Group. This program is free and open to the public.
The Tivoli Free Library is located at 86 Broadway in Tivoli. For more information about the program, call (845) 454-3222. For directions to the library, call (845) 757-3771 or visit https://tivolilibrary.org.
Sugar skull workshop at Red Hook Public Library
How about a multicultural experience for your teens that’s free and fun to do? Head over to the Red Hook Public Library on Saturday, October 24 at 1 p.m. to make intricate sugar skulls, a tradition of el Día de los Muertos. Teens will create the colorful skulls and leave them to dry and display at the library, available for pickup after Saturday, October 31. This program is free, but advance registration is required.
The historic, octagonal Red Hook Public Library is located at 7444 South Broadway in Red Hook. For more information or to register, call (845) 758-3241 or visit https://redhooklibrary.org.
Boo at the Zoo at Bear Mountain
Do your junior animal-lovers want to celebrate the season with some furry and feathery friends? Take them to Boo at the Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park’s Trailside Museums & Zoo this weekend! On Saturday, October 24 at 10:30 a.m., kids can make spooky snacks for the bears, then watch them eat them at 11 a.m.! They can also touch real animal skulls, see stuffed specimens in the museums, make autumn crafts and learn about other bats, owls and vultures.
The Trailside Museums & Zoo appreciates your donations of $1 per person, but the activities are free and open to the public. Parking for the Trailside Museums & Zoo is located at 55 Hessian Drive in Highland Falls, in Bear Mountain State Park. For more information, call (845) 786-2701 or visit https://nysparks.com.
Andrew Simmons Wildlife Program at Gardiner Library
Q: What is a barn owl’s favorite subject in school?
A: Owl-gebra!
You’ll have the chance to see a barn owl up close this weekend at the Gardiner Library during the Andrew Simmons Wildlife Program! On Saturday, October 24 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., families can also see a black-throated monitor and a Canadian lynx, while learning all about them. This program is free and open to the public of all ages, and no registration is required.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike in Gardiner. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org. To learn more about the presenter, https://simmonswildlife.com.
Join the family! 
