To Scare Or Not To Scare: Spooktacular Event in Mamaroneck Appeals To All Ages

Last year’s line-up of frightening ghouls, ghosts and other spooky characters followed by a terrifying walk through a “haunted house” in the old Hook and Ladder Firehouse in the Village of Mamaroneck last year has now morphed into an all day “Spooktacular” event planned for Sunday, Oct. 23.

“The idea was to roll into a bigger event after the success of the haunted house,” said Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Carolyn Pomeranz, continuing, “[This will be] more family friendly for all age groups.”

The event is sponsored by the and the Village of Mamaroneck.

The day will kick off with Halloween Window Painting from noon-2 p.m. beginning at at 342 Mamaroneck Ave., a village tradition that has gone on for many years. 

One new tradition, however, will be a costume parade that will give both kids and pets the opportunity to strut their stuff down the avenue, starting at 2:30 p.m. on front of on Mamaroneck Avenue and ending at the on 142 Mamaroneck Ave.

Younger kids or those that spook easily might be more intrigued by the “tricks and treats kids korner” an activity-packed event that will be set up in the parking lot behind the Christian Science Reading Room from 3-6 p.m.  Activities will include face painting, wand and mask making, donut bobbing, cupcake/pumpkin decorating and the ever popular “mystery box” where kids dip their hands into a box with unknown contents, said Pomeranz.

And, of course, a Halloween celebration wouldn’t live up to its name if there were no scare tactics involved.  The haunted house—to be held at the old Hook and Ladder Firehouse again from 4-7 p.m.—will be similar to 2010, when community volunteers clad as zombies and ghouls emerged from makeshift graveyards, yelling and swaying as patrons anxiously snaked through the dimly lit house.

Also new this year will be a performance by actors and actresses affiliated with the at 6 p.m. across from the haunted house. 

“It’s not going to be anything scary,” said Chamber President Steve Josephson, who said that he proposed the idea of a child-friendly performance to Sandbox Theater owner Dan Ferrante last week.

A few events remained unconfirmed as of press time including a potential band, dance performance and yo-yo demonstration, said Pomeranz.

Do you plan on attending the Spooktacular? Please send photos to stefani.kim@patch.com or add them directly to the article by clicking the manage your photos link above.  

Spooktacular will be held from noon-7 p.m. in the Village of Mamaroneck on Oct. 23, rain or shine.  Registration for window painting will be at 11:30 a.m. in front of Robert’s Department Store; the first 50 kids will receive free t-shirts. The costume parade will run from 2:30-3:00 p.m.