Drone Show, Scavenger Hunt, Movie: Halloween In Port Washington

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Port Washington residents can expect to see ghastly ghosts, wicked witches and probably a few Elsas walking around town this week as the Town of North Hempstead kicks off a series of socially distanced Halloween events, including a scavenger hunt, pumpkin-painting event, drive-in movie, and even a drone light show.

The town kicked off the week with virtual programs involving art, spooky stories and instructions on baking chocolate pumpkin muffins began Monday and were to continue Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m. Residents can watch the programs on Channel 18 or 63 on Cablevision, as well as on Channel 46 on Verizon.

Pumpkin painting is also available Wednesday and Thursday this week. Children and parents can create petrifying pumpkins at Clark Botanic Garden on Wednesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The event, held outdoors, is limited to 20 children. Social distancing and registration will be required. Residents can click here or call 311 to register.

On Friday, the town plans told a trick-or-treat event and show a drive-in movie at North Hempstead Beach Park. Kids can receive candy and treats at 4 p.m., as families visit tables to trick or treat. Parents or guardians must accompany their children. Attendees will be staggered to comply with social distancing guidelines.

The drive-in movie begin at 6:30 p.m. with a showing of Hotel Transylvania. Registration for both events is required. Residents can click here or call 311 to register.

All events are free and open to all North Hempstead residents. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable or canned foods for a donation drive.

Food will not be available for purchase at the movie screening but residents can bring snacks. Restrooms will be available for all events.

For more information, call 311 or 516-869-6311.

The town plans to hold a drone show Saturday from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The show is the first of its kind in Nassau County.

"This immersive and dazzling light show is the first of its kind in our area," Supervisor Judi Bosworth said in a statement. "We know that Halloween celebrations might be a bit different this year, so we invite our residents to join us for what will be an extraordinarily unique and fun event."

Firefly Drone Shows, which is producing the free show, will use technology to create a synchronized show. The show, which is appropriate for all ages, will be synced to music that will air through car radios. Social distancing guidelines will be enforced and all attendees must stay in their vehicles unless using the restroom. They must wear a mask when not in a vehicle. Food and refreshments will not be available for purchase. Residents are encouraged to bring their own snacks to the drone show as well.

Officials said capacity is limited to 800 vehicles to accommodate social distancing guidelines. The town is encouraging attendees to bring non-perishable/canned foods to the events as part of North Hempstead's donation drive. Vehicles will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis. Attendees are not required to register ahead of time.

For more information, please call 311 or 516-869-6311.

Furthermore, the town plans to hold a Halloween on Main event featuring a self-directed scavenger hunt. The Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District and the Port Washington Public Library partnered to create a unique hunt, which will be available Thursday through Saturday.

The hunt includes a game card where participants find images in the window of participating businesses and write a letter associated with a symbol in the box. Once the hunt is finished, participants can return to the library for a prize. Two people will additionally win a toy gift bag through a photo raffle.