Pumpkin Patches and Parades 2015: Where To Find Pumpkins & Halloween Events Near Beacon in the Hudson Valley
UPDATE: For Pumpkins and Parades for 2016, click here
Pumpkins and Parades 2015
The tree leaves are turning, there's a crisp note in the air, and every now and then, we catch a whiff of wood smoke. All signs point to fall. But our autumn wouldn't be complete without some family-friendly Halloween celebrations!
The Hudson Valley has a wealth of spooky fall fun. (Maybe you've heard of a little place called Sleepy Hollow?) Here are some of our favorite events and pumpkin-picking spots, all a little closer to our Beacon home.
Need pumpkin decoratin
g ideas after you collect all of these pumpkins? Consider a couple of our favorites -
, or
using a power drill to make beaded designs
.
Pumpkin Carving Contest
Saturday, October 10, 2015
10 am
Location:
Pavilion at Beacon Memorial Park
Kids 15 and younger can compete for Top Carver in two age divisions (13 to 15, and 12 and under). Parents should supervise children at all times! Supplies will be provided, but are limited. Sign up ahead of time at City Hall. Organizers insist, no professionals, please.
Halloween Parade and Festival
Saturday, October 17, 2015
10 am to 6 pm
Location:
Meiser Park, Wappingers Falls
The second annual festival, in the heart of the village just up Route 9D, will feature a parade, festive food, face-painting, music (an Alice Cooper tribute band, in fact) and a pumpkin patch, among other activities for the whole family.
Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Noon to 5 pm
Location:
Pe
te and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park
Volunteers from the Beacon Sloop Club will serve chili, while pumpkin pie and a host of other treats will be available from vendors. Farm-fresh pumpkins will be for sale, too! And, keeping with the spirit of the late, longtime Sloop Club member Pete Seeger, tunes from several local musicians, a
ll set to the backdrop of the mighty Hudson
.
A Very Beacon Halloween: Premier Of Beacon's Dark Parade
Friday, October 23rd, 2015
Locations:
7pm Parade Lineup at Chase Bank
7:30pm Parade begins at Chase Bank, and then ends at The Falls
Enjoy this spooky dark party! Costumes and lights are encouraged, including flashlights or other creative lights that may come with your costume, like a light saber or glowing staff! Being that it's dark and late, this is for adults only. Parade ends at The Hop. Get dinner ideas here in A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide, and consider making reservations first at any restaurant, as you'll be with several other hungry people.
A Very Beacon Halloween: Psychic Fair
Saturday, October 24th, 2015
12pm to 5pm
Location:
Chill Wine Bar
Treat yourself to tarot and other types of readings from 8 to 10 readers from Notions & Potions. Readings are $25 for 20 minutes of indulgence in your future - if you dare! This event is for adults only.
A Very Beacon Halloween: The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Dance Party!
Saturday, October 24th, 2015
DJ: 7 to 10pm; movie: 10pm to midnight
Location:
St. Rocco's, 26 South Chestnut Street
Boo-gie the night away to a rockin' DJ at St. Rocco's! It's the brick building up the hill on South Chestnut. (You've passed it many times as you drove behind the parking lot for the Yankee Clipper diner or Beacon Flea.) In keeping with The Rocky Horror Picture Show tradition, you should probably dress up! Tickets are $25 at the door and a cash bar is available.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest
S
unday, October 25, 2015
11
:30
a
m
Registration at Beacon Barkery, 192 Main Street
12:
0
0pm:
Contest
begins
Location:
Cross Street and Main Stre
et, Beacon (near River Winds Gallery)
Dress up your fur-friend in the cutest costume ever!
Prizes
are award
ed for:
Look Ali
ke
Cutest
Scariest
Most Original
A Very Beacon Halloween: Kid's Hocus Pocus Parade
S
unday, October 25, 2015
12:30 pm
Parade Lineup at the Visitor's Center & Peace Park
(South Avenue/9D and Main Street)
1pm: Parade begins
Location:
Main Stre
et, Beacon
Cost
umed kids start lining up at Peace Park (South Avenue/9D and Main Street) near the Visitor's Center at 12:30 for a parade down Main Street at 1pm. Trick-or-treating at businesses follows the stroll. Don't forget to check in at the
behind the Post Office, too! They'll have some treats for the little goblins.
Pumpkins in the Park - Jack O'Lantern Lighting
Carving: Tuesday, October 27 to Friday, October 30, 2015, 3 pm to 6 pm
Lighting: Friday, October 30, 2015, 6 pm to 8 pm
Location:
Long Dock Park, Beacon waterfront
On afternoons Tuesday to Friday, visit Long Dock Park to put your carving skills to use on pumpkins provided by Scenic Hudson. Stick around Friday evening, when the jack o'lanterns will be set aglow and displayed throughout the park.
Rascal's Monster Bash
Sa
turday, October 31, 2015
2 pm to 5 pm
Lo
cati
on:
Dutchess Stadium, 1500 Route 9D, Wappingers Falls
This free family event, hosted by the
baseball team, will have tons of entertainment and activities, including inflatable amusements, trick-or-treating from vendors' tables, and pumpkin painting. For more information, call (845) 838-0094.
Where to Pick Pumpkins
Select your perfect pumpkin from patches at these farms. It's always a good idea to call before you go, to confirm hours, prices and availability.
has pumpkins in their Pick-Your-Own patch set on the 20-acre farm. Fall Harvest Fest weekends include hayrides, fo
od and music. Open daily, 9 am to 6 pm, rain or shine ($5 per car admission on weekends and holidays).
CROWD ALERT!
There are
many, many people at Fishkill Farms
during this season.
in Newburgh has pumpkins in their Pick-Your-Own patch, as well as at their farm stand. You'll also find apples and other seasonal produce, as well as a hay bale maze and a mini-village for kids to play. Lawerence Farms is on many, many acres of beautiful Hudson Vall
ey land, so you have plenty o
f space to run and pla
y
despite
the number o
f people
who are there.
Open daily, 9 am to 4 pm.
AFTERNOON CLOSING ALERT
!
Lawrence Farms closes at 4pm, so
get th
ere
during the first part of your day.
, also in New
burgh, promises "no razz a ma tazz" at their fourth-generation farm stand and Pick-Your-Own area. Open daily except Tuesdays, 8 am to 6 pm.
Where to Purchase Pumpkins
In a pinch? These markets usually have an easy grab-and-go selection of pumpkins and other colorful winter squash, often locally grown!
, 268 Main St., Beacon
, 160 Old Post Road (Route 9), Wappingers Falls
, 1490 Route 9, Wappingers Falls