What to Do for the Halloween Weekend in the Mount Vernon Area

Halloween in on Monday, and while there are many events on the day of the Eve of All Hallows, to give the holiday its full old-fashioned name, there will also be many things to do this weekend. The weather will be a bit warmer on Saturday and Sunday than the current cold snap, but it doesn’t look like it will rain on any costumed parades.

Here are some things to do this weekend:

A History of Funerals: St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site will present a lecture, “Rest in Peace: A History of Funerals in America,” with Nancy Coffey, a professor at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. The lecture is at 1 p.m. on Saturday and is free. The historic site is at 894 South Columbus Avenue in Mount Vernon.

Bird hike at Westmoreland: The Westmoreland Sanctuary will hold a bird hike on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. for every aged 8 and older. Participants will learn how to identify birds and assist in recording the birds we see and hear for our monitoring records. There is a $5 fee for non-members. The sanctuary is located at 260 Chestnut Ridge Road in Mount Kisco.

Dobbs Ferry Haunted House: The Dobbs Ferry Woman's Club and the Dobbs Ferry PTSA will hold their annual Dobbs Ferry Haunted House event at the Dobbs Ferry Woman’s Club, 54 Clinton Avenue, on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $3 per person and includes participation in ghost stories acted out in the mansion, an activity room for children, and refreshments. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Proceeds from the event benefit the Dobbs Ferry PTSA and the Woman's Club Philanthropic Fund.

Knock ‘Em Dead Comedy: The Greenburgh Hebrew Center in Dobbs Ferry will present a Murder Mystery Show, “The Whacked Family Reunion- A Lethal Luau!” on Saturday at 8 p.m. Join the Whack family as they come together for a reunion like no other! The party will be full of music, luau fun, and laughter, but someone might just end up getting whacked! Ticket price includes dessert and coffee. The fee is $36 per person or $50 for patrons, which Includes dessert and coffee. Wine, Beer and Soda will be available for purchase. The center is at 515 Broadway. For further information, click here or call 914-693-4260.

Little Ghouls and Goblins: The Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle will hold its Little Ghouls and Goblins Haunted Colonial House from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The fee is $3 per child. This is a gentler haunted house appropriate for tots up to age 9. Little ghouls will be given a trick or treat bag, spider cupcake and a glass of apple cider as well as Halloween coloring pages. For an additional fee, there will be face painting and kids can decorate a pumpkin on the Cottage's lawn. The cottage is located at 20 Sicard Avenue in New Rochelle.

Murder Mystery at the Library: Murder is afoot at the New Rochelle Library on Saturday at 7 p.m. The interactive event includes cocktails and a strolling supper while participants solve the mystery. There will also be silent and live auctions. The library is at 1 Library Plaza. The evening is $125 per person, which includes open bar and a buffet. Tickets can be reserved online at www.nrplfoundation.org.

Family Cooking Classes: The Westchester Italian Cultural Center in Tuckahoe will hold a family cooking class at 2 p.m. Saturday. Kids will make ghost mini pizzas, creepy brain popcorn, and severed finger cookies. These treats are not only spooky, but tasty as well. You must register in advance and prepay. Child fee: Members $30, Non-Members $40; Parent & Child fee: Members $55, Non-Members $65; Additional person: Members $30, Non-Members $40. The center is at 1 Generoso Pope Place. For more information, call 914-771-8700.

Haunted Trains and Dinosaurs: The Ninth Annual Halloween Train Show will take place on Saturday and Sunday at Lasdon Park, Arboretum, and Veterans Memorial from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. The huge railroad layout in the Main house includes Hogwarts Castle among other features. The dinosaur garden is outside. Visitors can explore the trail and see some of the thrills of the season. Tractor-drawn wagon rides will be available every half hour. The main garden will also feature a display of mums and the Westchester Veterans Museum will be open. The train display and house entrance fee is $3 per child and $5 for adults. Wagon rides are $5. Lasdon Park is at 2610 Amawalk Road (Route 35) in Somers. For more information, click here.

SEE:

• The Best Real Haunted Places in the Hudson Valley
• Hudson Valley Guide to Halloween 2016
• Hudson Valley Guide to the Perfect Pumpkin 2016

Image by Evan Swigart, via Wikimedia Commons.