Nyack Chamber Awards Prizes at Record-Breaking Halloween Bash

From the Nyack Chamber of Commerce

The Nyack Chamber of Commerce hosted its 32nd annual Halloween Parade on Saturday in the heart of Nyack. The event, organized by the Chamber and sponsored by leading local merchants, once again broke records for color, creativity and the sheer size of the spectator crowd estimated at over 20,000.

“Travel Channel ranks Nyack’s parade in their top Halloween events nationwide,” said Roger Cohen, President of the Nyack Chamber. “After this year’s performance, Nyack’s celebrations could well move up a notch just based on the ‘wow’ factor — which gets more spectacular every year.”

The fun-filled, family-friendly event featured festooned fire trucks, fantasmagorical floats, marching bands and a host of revelers in the wackiest costumes this side of the grave. Earlier in the day, kids took a pre-parade tour on the “Trick-or-Treat Trail,” stopping at village businesses to collect goodies and get the festivities started on a sweet note. Live entertainers regaled the crowds on stages around the village before and after the parade.

With over $2,000 in prize money on the table, plus special gifts for winners, contest entries for both floats and costumes were more inventive than ever.

Top winners in the Best Float and Best Costume categories won a special trophy designed by local artist Peter Cheney in addition to a cash award.

For the second year running, the Chamber has also invited local families to enter a house and lawn decorating competition — a great way to “get the spook on” in Nyack. The contest is still under way, and the public is invited to vote, with prizes to be awarded on Nov. 7.

The Nyack Halloween parade and contests are made possible by generous support from Guinness/Oak Beverages , Better Homes and Gardens/Rand Realty of Nyack , Rivertown Magazine’s First Annual Foodie Fest (October 27 through November 16), Lauren Murray Law Offices , Greenbush Construction, Time Hotel Nyack , Nyack Boat Charter , and Nyack Sketch Log.

Among the contest winners, Nyack Art Collective’s “Day of the Dead” entry took the $1,000 first prize and trophy for Best Float.

Nyack Center landed the $400 second prize with a “The Wiz” themed float. Third for a $200 prize was “Zombie Ambulance” ― a super-gory vehicle complete with bloody bodies supplied by the evil medics at the Congers/Valley Cottage Ambulance Company.

Costume entrants rivaled the floats with super scary creativity. Over a hundred contestants competed in seven categories for the $650 in total costume prizes — judged on originality, workmanship and design.

Top this year for Best Costume was Sarah Omer of Monsey, NY with her compelling portrayal of the brave and adventurous way-finder “Moana” on her sea-faring quest to save her people ― and find herself.

Best costume runner-up went to Tara Rourke of Dumont, NJ for her “Snack Machine” entry, a beautifully crafted, office-ready snack dispenser complete with tempting treats (and Tara) inside.

Sabrina Weld and Nell Galvin of Nyack took the prize for Best Couple/Partners with their presentation of “Baba Yaga.” In Slavic folklore and Russian fairytales, Baba Yaga is a supernatural being, appearing as a ferocious, deformed old woman who flies around in a mortar, wields a pestle as a weapon, and dwells deep in the forest in a hut that stands on chicken legs. (Yes, chicken legs.)

The award for Best Group went to the Nook family of Manalapan Township, NJ for their dynamic and creative portrayal of a “Circus Family” --- living proof that families who work together stay together…and win prizes!

In the childrens’ category, “Stilts Spirit” of Nyack took the top prize for best costume — crazy and totally creepy.

Reigning supreme and hailing from Yonkers, “Queen of Hearts” took second place. “Cousin Itt” of Milford, CT and Addams Family fame grabbed third prize. As TV enthusiasts will recall, Itt is composed entirely of floor-length hair. Itt’s costume for the TV show was first constructed with real hair but later changed to a fire-retardant synthetic to avoid conflagrations on the set. We assume our parade Itt took similar precautions!

The much-anticipated prize awards ceremony was held immediately after the parade, followed by live music, dancing and after-parties in local restaurants and night spots. Also following the parade, Halloween revelers enjoyed the Nyack Center’s 12 th annual “Monster Mash” party featuring music, dancing, dinner buffet, and lots of spooky family fun.

Maximizing the holiday festivities, Nyack offers a full menu of “Halloweek” activities for kids and adults that includes window painting, classic movie screenings, spooky story readings, haunted houses, live music, live theater, a drag show and more. Go to Halloween Fun List for full details.

“For people who love the scary fun and pageantry of Halloween, the Nyack community is the place to be for the best parade, costumes, parties, trick-or-treating and all-out wacky celebrations,“ said Cohen.

In addition to the traditional costume and float contests, the Chamber and Better Homes and Gardens/Rand Realty are hosting the village’s second annual house and lawn decorating competition now under way. “We’re expecting some really amazing entries, and have great prizes for the winners,” said Paula Cousino of the Chamber team.

The public is invited to participate in the voting from now until Nov. 6. Ballots and maps are available at the following polling stations: Rand Realty's Nyack Office on South Broadway, Casa Del Sol on Main Street, the Nyack Library on South Broadway, Nyack Farmer's Market in the Main Street parking lot, the Rockland YMCA on South Broadway, and Hartell's Deli on North Broadway.

Decorating winners will be announced at a special party on November 7 at Casa del Sol in Nyack. Prizes for the top three contestants include two nights for two at the Nyack Time Hotel, a custom house portrait crafted by artist Bill Batson, and a Nyack Charter sailboat cruise.

“Hands down, Nyack is the place to be for Halloween,” said David Collins, parade director and Chamber Treasurer. “You can’t find more creativity, energy and sheer fun anywhere else.”