Not-so-scary ways to celebrate Halloween during COVID-19

Oct 28

Written By HVNY

This year's Halloween celebrations don't have to be extra scary because of COVID-19 with scaled-back community events taking place throughout the Hudson Valley aiming for the right amount of spooky: Dress up to stand-up and paddleboard with other costumed creatures in Monroe, pour one out for the long-lost spirits at "Boos and Booze" in New Paltz, "Howl and Holler" with the animals at the Trevor Zoo in Millbrook, see artists lead a haunted parade in Wassaic, partake in a Pumpkin Jaunt in Tivoli, drive-thru for candy at fire stations in Woodstock and more, details below and on the website: hvny.info/calendar/this-week. (Please note, advanced registration is required for many of these events.)

FRIDAY EVENTS

Sol Full Yoga Halloween SUP Paddle
Friday, October 30, 2020 • 5:15pm • Walton Lake, Lakes Road, Monroe • Wear your favorite costume to paddle around the lake followed by a socially-distanced bonfire • $30 includes SUP, paddle, leash and PFD, free with your own board • Registration required: https://solfullyogastudio.com

Drive Thru Trick or Treating
Friday, October 30, 2020 • 6-8pm • Hurds Family Farm, Modena • More info: LINK

I LOVE NY Halloween Spooktacular
Friday, October 30, 2020 • 6pm • Creepy, spooky ghost stories from attractions along the Haunted History Trail of New York State. Grab your costume and tune in for a watch party exclusively on I LOVE NY’s Facebook page.

New Paltz seeking carved pumpkins to add to the community carved pumpkin display
Anyone who would like to carve a pumpkin for our community display can pick up a free pumpkin Thursday at the New Paltz Youth Program at 220 Main Street in New Paltz. Supplies are limited. Please call ahead: 845-325-2593. Once carved, please drop off on Friday, October 30, at the New Paltz Youth Program – 220 Main Street in New Paltz • More info: LINK

** Curfew for City of Newburgh **
The City of Newburgh’s City Council approved Resolution No. 256-2020 to implement a City-wide curfew for minors 16 years of age and under on October 30 and 31 from 9pm until 6am • The curfew will be effective from 9pm until 6am each day, starting at 9pm on Friday, October 30, 2020, and ending at 6am on Sunday, November 1, 2020 • More info: LINK

SATURDAY EVENTS

By the way, it's Halloween and a Full Moon – the second Full Moon of October! A Full Moon rising on Halloween happens every 18-19 years, according to the Farmers' Almanac. This moon is known as the Hunter's Moon, marking "the time of year when humans and animals alike are stocking up on food in preparation for the long winter ahead."

Howl and Holler Weekend
Saturday, October 31, 2020 and Sunday, November 1, 2020 • 10:30am - 5pm • Trevor Zoo at the Millbrook School • Free treat bags with Orangutan-friendly Halloween candy, free activity booklets for kids, special activities and food trucks. Masks and Reservations required! LINK

Halloween Extravaganza
Saturday, October 31, 2020 • noon - 8pm • Trolly Museum of New York, 89 E. Strand Street, Kingston • Take a trolley ride to Kingston Point and listen to classic Halloween music along the way. Face coverings required • LINK

Halloween Treat Caravan
Saturday, October 31, 2020 • noon - 2pm • Village of Wappingers • A caravan of vehicles will travel through the Village making special deliveries celebrating the spirit of Halloween • Parade route map to come • LINK

Woodstock Fire Department’s Halloween Drive-Thru Event
Saturday, October 31, 2020 • 3-5pm • Woodstock Fire Co 1 Woodstock 242 Tinker Street, Woodstock Fire Co 3 Lake Hill 4123 Route 212, Woodstock Fire Co 4 (Children 12 and under) Zena 443 Zena Rd. • Members of the community can receive candy at one of the safe, socially-distant stops • LINK

Halloween Boos and Brews Tour
Saturday, October 31, 2020 • 4pm • Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz • a glass of locally-made hard cider or craft beer, then take an exterior walking tour down one of the oldest streets in America to explore the thrilling, eerie, and mysterious tales of New Paltz. Each ticket comes with a glass of hard cider or beer, and additional drinks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase • TICKETS

Pumpkin Promenade and Jack-O-Lantern Jaunt
Saturday, October 31, 2020 • 4:30-6:30pm • Tivoli Memorial Park • Bring a jack-o-lantern to display along a one-way trail around the park. Jack-O-Lantern displays will be awarded for scariest, funniest, most detailed, most clever, cutest and best in show. Residents must pre-register by Wednesday, October 28 by visiting this link: https://bit.ly/TivoliPumpkinPromenade or call the Tivoli Free Library at 845-757-3771.

Wassaic Haunted Parade
Saturday, October 31, 2020 • 5:30-6:30pm • Village of Wassaic • Parade with floats from resident artists of the Wassaic Project, and over 100lbs of candy to be safely tossed to spectators • Costumes encouraged, masks required! • Map of parade: wp20-haunted-parade-map.png • More info: LINK

** Curfew for Rosendale **
The Rosendale Town Board has set a 6:30pm curfew for Halloween night.

Virtual Ghost Tours of the Tarrytown Music Hall
Through October 31, 2020 • 8pm • Go on a virtual “balcony to backstage” guided ghost tour to explore the unexplained happenings at the 135-year-old theater with the Gotham Paranormal Research Society • More info: LINK

SUNDAY

Hocus Pocus Halloween Mayhem
Sunday, November 1, 2020 • 3:30pm • Hopewell Rec Park • Masks required. Lawn games, treats, hay maze and more. Costume contest and parade at 4pm, Movie in the park at 5pm. • LINK

Hosting an event? Fill out this form or email hello@hvny.info.

Tips on how to safely enjoy Halloween this year:

Enjoy virtual celebrations or socially distanced activities that are outdoors as much as possible.
If there are a high number of cases in your area, it is important to skip any in-person celebrations or activities altogether. You can check the number of cases in your area on the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker.
Trick-or-treat only with your household family group. Consider a family costume theme!
Always stay socially distanced from those who are not living in your household. (You don’t want to get too close to a witch, a ghost, or especially a virus!
Give treats outdoors. Set up a station with individually bagged or packaged treats for kids to take. Participate in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard).
All individuals over age two and able to medically tolerate a face covering must wear face coverings or cloth masks. Most Halloween masks won’t be sufficient to meet Department of Health guidance, so ensure you wear a face covering that provides adequate protection.
Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before, during and after any Halloween activities.

See more from the state's guidance on Halloween safety, here: LINK