Friday, November 6, 2026
Costumes, crafts and Halloween cheer filled the Island Park Public Library as families gathered for the library’s annual Halloween Fun & Costume Parade, a festive tradition bringing children and parents together for an evening of spooky fun.
The Oct. 29 celebration welcomed at least 100 attendees, including children and adults, many of whom arrived in creative costumes. Several families even coordinated their outfits, adding to the holiday spirit.
Throughout the event, children participated in Halloween-themed crafts, including decorating their own trick-or-treat bags using stamps, and explored the library during a festive scavenger hunt.
The highlight of the celebration came when children received small musical instruments and marched through the library’s bookshelves in a lively costume parade.
Teresa McCarthy, head of youth services at the Island Park Public Library, said the event has been a beloved community tradition for more than a decade.
Planning for the celebration began during the summer as library staff prepared a fall lineup of Halloween activities throughout October.
The costume parade was one of several seasonal programs joining a trunk-or-treat celebration, pajama storytime, a teen mystical night and a toddler storytime to close out the festivities.
“These events give families the opportunity to connect with one another while also discovering everything the library has to offer,” McCarthy said. “It’s a fun, unique way to get families to come and enjoy the library.”
Beyond the costumes and candy, McCarthy hopes the celebration reminds residents that the library is a welcoming place for children and families year-round.
“It’s a safe place for anyone and everyone to celebrate,” she said. “And an additional upside is that they can explore the library’s collection of books, movies and other resources available.”
