Halloween Night In Beacon NY 2023

During an attempted Car Nap for ALBB’s smallest child, we were able to grab photos of some of the decorated houses. If you have a photo of your house you would like published, you can email it in to editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com

New Partial Block Closure For West Willow / Orchard Place

On this Halloween Night 2023, something new is brewing…a partial street closure in “The Willows,” the area of Beacon that traditionally has a lot of house participation in terms of candy, fire-pit fires and usually a haunted house. Willow Street itself connects to Main Street and Verplanck. Once on the other side of Verplanck, Willow Street duplicates into East Willow and West Willow, connected by a looping portion of Orchard Place. Many, many children go to this destination both with and without adults. It’s a right of passage for when the young child can “go to The Willows” on their own, without their parent.

This year, some neighbors in the area organized to request that some blocks be closed in order to increase safety of kids and adults walking for the night, as car traffic can be unexpected as people wander in the middle of the street. Cars are known to drive by, as they carpool people through different areas of town.

After submitting signatures in support of a permit for some street closure, the City of Beacon did agree to close Orchard Street between West Willow and Cross Street. The original request was for the full Willow loop to be closed, all the way to Deerfield, but this compromise was a start. The permit request came in the form of a “block party.”

This closure was first mentioned by Councilmember Molly Rhodes during a City Council Meeting on October 24, who voiced her support for the road closure when it was requested. Said Molly: “I’m pleased that the neighbors are looking for ways to make these blocks as safe as possible for everyone who wants to come out. I look forward to continuing to support them in future years.

Also being promoted as a free event is a free front-porch screening of Orson Welles video and radio play from 7-9pm on the corner of Judson and Robinson (near the mountain) from Ben Williams and Victor Morales . Says Ben: “It’s a crazy multimedia take on The Hitchhiker by Orson Welles.”


ALBB received this submission from a neighbor at 16 Overlook Drive, who go all out each year to make it spooky for the neighborhood.

The Hocus Pocus Kids Halloween Parade This Weekend: How It Works

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Day: Sunday, October 28, 2018 (Rain or Shine)
Lineup Time: 12 pm at the Visitors Center
Parade Start Time: 1 pm

Hocus Pocus Kids Halloween Parade, from the Beacon Chamber of Commerce

Every year, the Beacon Chamber of Commerce puts on the Kids Halloween Parade, known as the Hocus Pocus Parade.

Costumed kids start lining up at the Visitors Center at Polhill Park (the little triangle land at South Avenue/Route 9D and Main Street, near Bank Square and Beacon Creamery) for a parade all the way down Main Street stopping at the intersection of Verplanck Avenue and Main Street.

In years past, kids have trick-or-treated while they parade. However, according to the parade’s main organizer, Sheryl Glickman of Notions-n-Potions, the intent has been for participants to parade down the middle of Main Street, and head back up on the sidewalks to casually trick or treat from storefronts, and spend time visiting the shops and galleries. We checked in with Sheryl, and got the nitty-gritty details for you on how it all works:

How This Kids Halloween Parade Works

The lineup is at the Visitors Center, which is near Bank Square and Beacon Creamery. When the parade starts, the kids and parents march down the middle of Main Street showing off their costumes. This year, the parade route has been extended. It will end at the intersection of Main Street and Verplanck Avenue. Sheryl has indicated that the Beacon Jeep Club may lead the parade route. We shall see!

Extended Parade Route

Wait - slow down - Verplanck intersects with Main Street? Yes, it does! Allllll the way at the end of Main Street by the old train tracks and the former Hop location, which is now Melzingah Tap House. You will parade past the Howland Cultural Center, past the Dummy Light, past the Roundhouse, and you will parade past lots of art galleries and shops you may not have discovered yet on this slightly hidden end of Main Street, sometimes referred to as the East End Gem of Main Street. See A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide and Art Gallery Guide to familiarize yourself.

Collecting The Candy - Trick or Treating Back Up Main Street

The first step is the parade. Make sure you smile and wave! A firetruck will be bringing up the rear of the parade while police escorts lead the parade.

The second step will be trick or treating from storefronts on Main Street as you make your way back up - on the sidewalk! - from the end of the parade route. After everyone completes Phase 1 of the parade (the marching part), the street will be unblocked, and you and the kids will trick or treat on the sidewalk on the return trip back up Main Street. This gives people time to visit the storefronts, see what’s inside, and have an overall more casual experience.

Bonus Round - Cider

Before you head back, stop by The Roundhouse! They will once again be handing out cider on their outdoor patio.

Getting Ready For Hocus Pocus Kids Halloween Parade

It’s always a good sign when there’s a BOX OF CANDY 🍭 outside your door. Getting ready for Beacon’s Hocus Pocus Halloween Kids Parade on Sunday! Check A Little Beacon Blog’s Events Guide for details. Thank you to Katy Hope from Beetle and Fred for hooking us up with this stash of candy - and for the door-to-door delivery!!

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