By Karen Bloom
There’s much to see and do, before the candy-fest next Friday. Whether you want to step back in time to celebrate Halloween the way Long Islanders did, over 120 years ago, visit the grounds of Nassau County Museum of Art all dressed up in its Halloween finery, or visit Cradle of Aviation museum for some “haunting” after hours, Halloween lovers of all ages can find much to do. Here’s a round-up of where to go this weekend:
A Haunted Historic Halloween
Celebrate Halloween at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, as it was done over 120 years ago, with ghost stories, magic lantern shows and pumpkin carving.
“During the 19th century, Halloween celebrations involved ghost stories and mischief like removing gates and tipping over sheds and outhouses,” said OBVR Site Director Jim McKenna. “Americans also began to dress in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, borrowing from the Irish and English traditions.” This practice eventually became our “trick or treat” tradition.
Village festivities include:
• Ghost story readings.
• Carving Jack-O-Lanterns.
• Recounting the tales of the local grave-digger (who often fired his musket in the air to keep away spirits).
• 19th century "monster hunt."
• Touring the haunted habits during a village ghost walk.
• Meeting the local tombstone cutter.
In addition, see a magic lantern show that makes use of a 19th-century lantern and beautiful and humorous hand-painted antique lantern slides.
The fun takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25-26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $10 adults, $7 children 4-14 and seniors. Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage. For further information, contact (516) 572-8400.
Haunted Hangars
Dare to come to the Cradle of Aviation Museum for its Halloween celebration and see the museum in a whole new light with two scary nights of Halloween fun. Choose from either a “Spooky Hangar” for younger guests or venture into the Haunted Hangars, where visitors can see, hear and experience what happens inside the historic aircraft hangars at this time of year.
Get ready to be spooked, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, 6-9 p.m. (for the kids) and 6-11 p.m.(for those who want some haunting) $10, $8 members.
Cradle of Aviation Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 572-4111.
Long Island Children’s Museum’s
“Ghostly Gala”
Long Island Children's Museum opens its doors for its annual Ghostly Gala, a popular venue of Halloween fun for the younger set. The Museum will entertain an audience of action heroes, ballerinas, clowns, fairy princesses, soldiers and witches (and that’s just the grown-ups) in its family-friendly environment. As kids trick-or-treat throughout the galleries, they’ll have the chance to mix up a batch of potions in the wizard’s lair, meet some friendly bats in the LICM Theater (separate ticket required) and meet a favorite story book character, the Stinky Cheese Man.
Everyone can try their hand at making some cool and creepy crafts, including a “tickle monster,” an “eye-popping” headband and a glow-in-the dark mummy magnet. Throughout the night, eerie music created by “mad” musician, Chris Peters will fill the museum.
The event, now in its seventh year, lets families celebrate Halloween in a fun, safe and spooky (not scary) way. The only warning required – buy tickets beforehand. The event consistently sells out. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Be part of the fun on Saturday, Oct. 25, 6- 9 p.m. $9; bat show tickets are $3. Museum Row, Garden City. For further information, contact (516) 224-5802.
Twilight Pumpkin Spectacular
Nassau County Museum of Art celebrates the season with a Twilight Pumpkin Spectacular. It’s a one-of-a-kind, fun-filled experience filled with thrills and chills! The museum’s 145-acre property is enlivened with a dazzling display of thousands of illuminated jack o’ lanterns. Eerie music and sound effects add to the mysterious merriment as hand-carved pumpkins, arranged by theme, bring delightful surprises at each meandering pathway.
Experience the pumpkin display Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 23-26, 6-9:30 p.m. Tickets are sold for timed entry; advance ticket sales only. $14 adults and seniors, $7 children 12 and under.
Tickets may be purchased online at nassaumuseum.com or call (516) 484-9338, ext. 16.
Nassau Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
Gothic Music
Cedarmere, the historic Roslyn home of prominent 19th-century poet and editor William Cullen Bryant gets into the Halloween spirit with special concert. Visitors can hear varied works celebrating autumn and Halloween, including traditional seasonal tunes, more obscure Gothic pieces, and classical pieces.
The program also includes two works by Sea Cliff pianist Paul Baserman and an interpretation of the autumnal poetry of 19th-century Hungarian-Austrian poet Nikolaus Lenau by actress Jennifer Dawson and dancer Eric Hoisington. The finale is the appropriately eerie “Danse Macabre” of composer Camille Saint-Saens, accompanied by a light and shadow show.
The performance is presented Satursday, Oct. 25, 1-3 p.m. $20 per person, which includes refreshments. Seating is limited; advance reservations are required.
Cedarmere is located at Bryant Ave., Roslyn Harbor. Call (516) 571-8130 or email baserman@optonline.net.
