The Village of Freeport ‘s annual Fall Festival promises participants a scary-good time, complete with Trunk-or-Treating, a Fire Expo, Chowder Fest and Halloween Parade along the Nautical Mile.
The festivities, scheduled to begin at noon on Oct. 26, are free and open to all ages, with participants encouraged to strut their stuff down Woodcleft Avenue to the parking lot across from the esplanade.
Those interested in marching in the parade should arrive at Sea Breeze Park, at 11 Richmond St., by 11:45 a.m.
Once they arrive, attendees are encouraged to fill goodie bags or baskets with candy, courtesy of the village, the Freeport Police Benevolent Association and the Freeport Fire Department. Costumes aren’t required, but everyone is encouraged to get into the spirit.
“This is the one time where being quirky, scary or just a little crazy is 100 percent OK,” Freeport Mayor Robert T. Kennedy said, while refusing to reveal what costume he’ll be wearing. “This is a great event that brings everyone out and brings out the fun in everyone.”
Trunk or treating is a Halloween event where families gather, often in a parking lot or an open space, decorate their car trunks, and hand out candy to kids who go from car to car. It’s a safe, festive alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, often with games, music and costumes.
Each year, the village’s recreation center coordinates the event with dozens of volunteers — from the Freeport Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to the fire department and schools — to keep the festival running smoothly. Children, parents and grandparents often return year after year to walk the same parade route that has become a signature fall moment for the waterfront village.
In addition to the parade, the fire department will present its annual Fire Expo, now in its 35th year as one of Long Island’s largest public safety demonstrations. Visitors will see the department’s fire apparatus up close, watch live equipment demonstrations, and learn safety tips from firefighters. Children will have a chance to meet first responders and collect giveaways, while parents pick up information on fire prevention and home safety.
If festivalgoers start to feel hungry, the annual Chowder Fest will be available as part of the day’s festivities. Adults will be asked to give a small donation to take part, but children can chow down for free. The friendly competition has become a staple of the festival, showcasing Nautical Mile’s restaurants and highlighting the village’s culinary talent.
“Everyone gets a pencil and a piece of paper with all the categories, and they pick their favorite,” event coordinator Susan Lyons, who is the associate village judge, said. “I’m a big clam chowder person.”
Categories to be judged in the Chowder Fest will include Manhattan, New England, most innovative, Long Island, bisque, original and chunkiest. Past competitions have featured contestants such as Halfway Down, Sonny’s Canal House, and Novi, with Halfway Down returning to defend its title as last year’s overall winner.
“Chowder is like chicken soup, there are so many variations,” Lyons said. “When I make mine, I start with bacon and clams. Only thing I don’t like is if you don’t put enough clams in it.”
Mayor Kennedy said he’s also looking forward to the tasting portion of the contest. “When the weather is great and everyone is having a good time, a nice clam chowder just tops off the day,” he said. “As mayor, I have to be impartial and taste them all.”
The event typically draws between 500 and 1,000 visitors each year, depending on weather, and is widely seen as the closing celebration of the Nautical Mile season. Past festivals have included face painting, hayrides, pumpkin decorating and live music from local performers. This year’s organizers said they expect a similar turnout and the same mix of family-friendly energy that has made it a Freeport tradition.
As a bonus, for families looking to kick off the weekend early, the village will host a free screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Freeport Recreation Center.
With the Nautical Mile as its backdrop the festival is expected to once again capture the spirit of community that defines Freeport.
Organizations interested in participating in the parade can call Elizabeth Comerford, director of the Freeport Recreation Center, at (516) 377-2314.
