Looking to get some more mileage out of your Halloween costume this year? Suit up and head to one of these local festivals, parades, parties, and costume contests.
Oktoberfest at Hunter Mountain, Hunter
Hunter Mountain’s Oktoberfest — which takes place over a course of four weekends from September 26 until October 18 — features authentic German food, beer, entertainment, and crafts.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, September 26-27, October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 11 a.m.-6:15 p.m.
Where: Hunter Mountain, 7740 Main St., Hunter
Cost: Free
Details: www.huntermtn.com/summer/festivals/oktoberfest​
Pine Island Pumpkin Festival, Pine Island
Pine Island’s Pumpkin Festival features a children’s bouncy house, pumpkin painting, and a variety of treats and refreshments.
When: Monday, October 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Pine Island Park, Kay Rd., Pine Island
Cost: $5 per participating child
Details: www.pineislandny.com/pumpkin-festival-ny​
Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival, Beacon
At the annual Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival, kids and grown-ups alike can enjoy chili, stone soup, cider, pumpkin pie, and other yummy treats while rocking out to live music by local bands. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available for purchase, too, and entertainers like Jonathan Kruk, Bindlestick Bill, and Veronica Kent keep children laughing.
When: Sunday, October 13, 12-5 p.m.
Where: Pete and Toshi Seeger (Beacon) Riverfront Park, 1 Flynn Dr., Beacon
Details: http://www.dutchess.org/events/beacon_pumpkin_festival
Wappingers Falls Halloween Parade & Festival, Wappingers Falls
It’s time to make history! The Annual Wappingers Falls Halloween Parade & Festival offers storytelling with Pirate Captain Jack; costume, witch hat, pumpkin carving, and float contests; face painting; psychic readings; food; music; and more.
When: Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m.
Where: Village of Wappingers Falls
Details: http://dutchesstourism.com/events/the-village-of-wappingers-falls-2nd-annual-halloween-parade-and-festival52490/
Mental Health Association 8th Annual Pumpkin Walk, Hudson
The Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties hosts its 9th Annual Pumpkin Walk, featuring vendors, jesters, face painting, music, apple cider, and doughnuts.
When: Saturday, October 17; entertainment begins at 4 p.m., walk begins at 6 p.m.
Where: Columbia Greene Community College, 713 Union St., Hudson
Cost: $5 in advance, $6 at the door
Details: 518-828-4619; www.mhacg.org
Gavin’s Pumpkin Festival, East Durham
Gavin’s Irish Country Inn hosts a Pumpkin Festival. Crafts, games, cider donuts and — of course — pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating are among the scheduled activities.
When: October 22-25
Where: Gavin’s Irish Country Inn, 118 Golden Hill Rd., East Durham
Cost: $179 per adult based on occupancy, Kids Free, includes 5 meals and 3 day/2 night all-inclusive accommodations
Details: www.greatnortherncatskills.com/events/gavins-pumpkin-festival
Monster Mash & Bash, Albany
New York State Museum’s two-day Monster Mash and Bash is perfect for those that have not yet celebrated their 10th Halloween. Arts and crafts, face painting, a costume parade, storytelling, dancing, and a mini monster maze are among the scheduled activities.
When: Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 12-4 p.m., parade at 2 p.m.
Where: New York State Museum, Cultural Education Center, 4th Floor, 260 Madison Ave., Albany
Cost: $5 per child (cash only), ages 2 and up
Details: www.nysm.nysed.gov/programs/halloween
Nyack Halloween Parade, Nyack
Nyack’s 28th Annual Halloween Parade ranks everything from the “Best Couple Costume” to the “Best Parade Float” for a chance to win cash prizes. Register by October 17; parade steps off at 5:30 p.m.
When: Saturday, October 24, 3 p.m.
Where: Memorial Park, Nyack
Details: http://nyackchamber.org/nyack-halloween-parade/
Scarecrow Contest & Halloween Parade, Tannersville
Make sure you bring your eeriest scarecrow and ghoulish garments down to Main Street for this town’s annual Scarecrow Contest and Halloween Parade.
When: Sunday, October 25, 1-3 p.m.
Where: Main St., Tannersville
Details: 518-858-9094; www.greatnortherncatskills.com/events/tannersville-scarecrow-contest-halloween-parade​
Hudson Halloween Parade, Hudson
Hudson hosts its Annual Halloween Parade, which kicks off with a variety of activities, including trick-or-treating on Warren Street (first 100 kids receive a free bag) and a costume contest. Trick-or-treating begins at 3 p.m., parade begins at 6 p.m.
When: Sunday, October 25, 3-7 p.m.
Where: 18 S 3rd Street, Hudson
Details: www.hudsonhalloween.com
New Paltz Halloween Parade, New Paltz
Calling all ghouls and goblins! The New Paltz Halloween Parade kicks off on Main Street and Manheim Boulevard and ends at the fire house, where the Lion’s Club is distributing apples and candy.
When: October 31, 6 p.m.
Where: Main St. and Manheim Blvd., New Paltz
Details: www.newpaltz.org/AnnualEvents.html
WRRV Boo Ball & Costume Contest, Poughkeepsie
Local alt-rock station WRRV presents its yearly Boo Ball and Costume Contest. Show up in your best Halloween garb and dance the night away to music by Breaking Crazy and deejays. Those with the funniest, sexiest, and scariest costumes vie for a chance at $1,000 in prizes.
When: October 31, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Where: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie
Cost: $10
Details: www.wrrv.com
