“Hold on, man. We don’t go anywhere with ‘scary,’ ‘spooky,’ ‘haunted’ or ‘forbidden’ in the title.”
– from Scooby-Doo
Reminder: Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 1 at 2 a.m., so “fall back” and turn your clocks back one hour.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
Pumpkins in the Park at Long Dock Park in Beacon
Instead of just displaying an isolated pumpkin or two at home, why not create a jack o’ lantern as part of a community of pumpkins? Through Thursday this week, families can participate in Pumpkins in the Park at Long Dock Park between 3 and 6 p.m. and carve a pumpkin. All supplies will be provided for this free activity, and the pumpkins will remain on-site to be illuminated and displayed throughout the park on Friday, October 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. Long Dock Park is located at 8 Long Dock Road in Beacon. For more information, call (845) 473-4440, extension 273, or visit https://scenichudson.org.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
Costumed Woodstock Chamber Orchestra plays spooky music for kids
Looking for a non-scary Halloween event for the family? Check out this concert by the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra! On Friday, October 30 at the Woodstock Playhouse, families can meet the instruments in the lobby at 6:15 p.m., followed by a concert of Halloween music performed by the orchestra dressed in costumes! Everyone is encouraged to compete in the costume contest, and the Grand Prize winners will conduct the orchestra!
Children get in free, admission for adults costs $20 and $18 for seniors. The Woodstock Playhouse is located at 103 Mill Hill Road in Woodstock. For more information, visit https://wco-online.com.
Tivoli Free Library hosts Minecraft Halloween Party
When is the last time you were astounded by your child’s creative engineering abilities? When you let them loose on Minecraft, kids’ only limits are their imaginations. On Friday, October 30 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., kids can work together on an in-game haunted house at the Minecraft Halloween Party at the Tivoli Free Library, complete with the lights turned down and Halloween treats to enjoy.
This event is for kids and teens ages 10 and up, and laptops are first-come, first-served, so bring your own, if possible. For more information, call (845) 757-3771 or visit https://tivolilibrary.org.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
Haunted house/dance party at Paul Green Rock Academy in Saugerties
Interested in a great time for all ages that combines the haunts of Halloween with a rocking dance party? Head over to the Paul Green Rock Academy’s first annual haunted house and dance party, taking place on Saturday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m. Admission costs $10 per person.
The Paul Green Rock Academy is located at 1293 Route 212 in Saugerties. For more information, call (845) 247-3034 or visit www.facebook.com/paulgreenrockacademy.
Trick-or-Treat on Huguenot Street in New Paltz
This year, why not connect history with the Halloween holiday? On Saturday, October 31 from 4 to 6 p.m., be a part of Trick-or-Treat on Huguenot Street! Children will meet “residents” of the historic houses; the neighborhood is traffic-free and decorated; and families can warm up by the campfire. Huguenot Street is also participating in the Teal Pumpkin campaign to help keep Halloween safe for all children with allergies to Halloween candy ingredients and offers non-food items as treats for children who need or prefer that option.
Huguenot Street is located in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-1660 or visit www.huguenotstreet.org.
Shadowland in Ellenville presents Arsenic and Old Lace
Can you name which play includes this quote? “Look, I probably should have told you this before, but you see…well…insanity runs in my family…It practically gallops.” If you guessed Arsenic and Old Lace, then you are already familiar with this popular theatrical comedy and may be interested to know about this weekend’s special event at the Shadowland Theatre. On Saturday, October 31 at 8 p.m., Shadowland’s Terror at the Mike program is a radio-show performance of Arsenic and Old Lace and a benefit for the not-for-profit Actors’ Equity theater. Tickets cost $15 and are available in advance or at the door.
The Shadowland Theatre is located at 157 Canal Street in Ellenville. For tickets or more information, call (845) 647-5511 or visit https://www.shadowlandtheatre.org.
5K Fun Run & Trick-or-Treating at Vassar
This Saturday’s Halloween 5K Fun Run and Trick-or-Treating at Vassar College mean healthy fun! Free registration for the Fun Run opens on-site at 10 a.m., and advance registration is available at www.mhrrc.org or by e-mailing repabst@vassar.edu.
The costume-optional race begins at 11 a.m., and every participant receives a medal. The costume contest and parade take place at 12 noon followed by trick-or-treating and activities at Joss (the Olivia Josselyn House), on campus. In the event of inclement weather, trick-or-treating will take place at the Poughkeepsie Senior Center on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie. The day’s events are free and open to the public, and parking is available in the North Lot.
Vassar College is located at 124 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 437-5370 or visit www.vassar.edu.
Dutchess Stadium hosts Rascal’s Monster Bash
Wish you could take the family for Halloween fun and trick-or-treating without worrying about traffic or finding a bathroom? Then you might want to head over to Rascal’s Monster Bash at Dutchess Stadium this Saturday, October 31 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Kids can build their own candy apple, enjoy face-painting, create arts and crafts, learn from community vendors, participate in a costume contest for great prizes and of course go trick-or-treating at the various vendors’ and organizations’ tables. Rascal’s Monster Bash is free and open to the public. Dutchess Stadium is located at 1500 Route 9D in Wappingers Fall. For more information, call (845) 838-0094 or visit www.facebook.com/hvrenegades.
Check out a Very Poughkidsie Halloween
Here’s an event to help fuel your family for a day of Halloween fun, or to give your littlest ones a manageable taste of the holiday: a Very Poughkidsie Halloween. On Saturday, October 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., children can play in the imagination village and do door-to-door trick-or-treating there, participate in the costume parade and contest, hear stories, sing songs, get photos with special guest Princess Belle and enjoy pizza and organic juice for lunch. Poughkidsie is a participant in the Teal Pumpkin Project and will have non-food items available to distribute as treats.
The cost is $25 for one child plus $20 per additional sibling, with discounts for members. Registration is required. Poughkidsie is located at 50 Springside Avenue in Poughkeepsie. To register or for more information, call (845) 243-3750 or visit www.poughkidsie.com.
Goowin’s Balloowins Halloween Tales at SUNY-Dutchess
Check your ego at the door for Goowin’s Balloowins Halloween Tales, unless you have skills that result in more than a “worm” when your kids request balloon shapes. You’ll be amazed at the sculptures that this guy makes with balloons, all while telling Halloween stories that star kid members of the audience! On Saturday, October 31 at 11 a.m., balloon artist Allynn Gooen presents a show for ages 4 to 12 that is free and open to the public at the James and Betty Hall Theatre at Dutchess County Community College.
Dutchess County Community College is located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 431-8050 or visit www.sunydutchess.edu/studentlife/studentactivities/famfest.html.
Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck presents Sleepy Hollow
Start off your family’s Halloween day inspired by local lore with live theater! On Saturday, October 31 at 11 a.m., Sleepy Hollow with Kit’s Interactive Theatre takes place at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. This version of Sleepy Hollow is spooky, but not scary, and picks up where the original story leaves off: in Ichabod Crane’s quest to know the true identity of the Headless Horseman. Tickets cost $7 for children, $9 for adults and seniors.
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck. For tickets or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit https://centerforperformingarts.org.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Talk on Native Americans at Rosendale Library
If you’ve been wanting to know more about the Native American population in our area, professor Evan Pritchard can help. On Wednesday, November 4 at 7 p.m. at the Rosendale Library, Pritchard – a descendant of the Mi’kmaq Nation and the author of over 30 books on Native American culture and history – shares stories and insights about the Algonquins, indigenous to the Northeast and New York City. Pritchard will also share about some of the ancient history of Ulster County, followed by a question-and-answer session.
The Rosendale Library is located at 264 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 658-9013 or visit www.rosendalelibrary.org. To learn more about Pritchard, visit www.algonquinculture.org.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Talk on boys failing at Jewish Community Center in New Paltz
Do you have a son or grandson falling behind in school or experiencing other problems? Mark Sherman, PhD, professor emeritus of Psychology at SUNY-New Paltz, wants to explore these issues, as well as how the community can help to improve things. “Our Sons and Grandsons Need Our Attention” takes place on Thursday, November 5 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. The talk is free for members, $5 for non-members.
The Jewish Community Center is located at 30 North Chestnut Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-9817 or visit www.jewishcongregationofnewpaltz.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno, costumed as popcorn again this year, lives in New Paltz with her husband, Mike, and their two children who made their own costumes this year: a videogame character, Altair, and an anime character, Assuna Yuki. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
