It's that time of year when evenings get colder and some people put on warmer socks. Then, for some reason, they want to be scared out of them!
It can’t be denied that our area has a lasting bit of Hollywood-promoted history when it comes to spookiness. When the Halloween season rolls around, however, there are plenty of other happenings that offer spookiness without dabbling in a certain Ocean Avenue house.
If you are wanting some fun scares, or even just some happily spooky festivity, we have a few suggestions for you below.
Please note that not all these events will be best for families or children. We will do our best to indicate recommended age groups, but you should contact the venue if you have any questions about its suitability for your family.
HorseAbility's Haunted Hay Barn
Located on the Campus of SUNY Old Westbury, the Haunted Hay Barn is an award-winning haunted house that takes advantage of historic 1912 stables.
The stables are converted into more than a dozen themed rooms, designed to be unsettling or even horrifying (even if you love horses).
Proceeds from this event go toward HorseAbility, an organization that seeks to increase the well-being of individuals with special needs through therapeutic interactions with horses.
The Haunted Hay Barn runs the weekends of Oct. 12-14, 19-21, and 26-28. The organizers of the event do not recommend that children below the age of 10 participate. There is a “Chicken Walk” that takes visitors behind the scenes of the haunt, with lights on, to show how they’ve put it together. The haunt is also handicap accessible.
"Killer" Escape Rooms
Escape rooms have exploded in popularity in recent years. Groups typically work together in a room to solve puzzles, crack codes, find keys, and essentially get out before time is up. It’s a lot of fun, and often quite clever!
Epic Escape Rooms LI has opened an escape room with more thriller-type flavor for the season. Participants take on the roles of victims kidnapped by crazed screenwriter, cast as “actors” in the screenwriter’s next film. Whether they escape the room or not will determine how the film ends.
Up to 10 players can book this room at a time. Epic Escape Rooms does note that there may be scary elements in the room, and it is not recommended for children under the age of 13. Part of the experience will also involve being handcuffed and blindfolded, so take caution if such things might cause you anxiety.
Challenge Escape Rooms in Franklin Square, Patchogue also have some spookier rooms for the Halloween season. The haunted carnival theme of CarnEvil and the psycho escape theme of Killer Countdown are available at both locations.
Killer Countdown is not recommended for anyone under the age of 16, and will start with you shackled to a wall. …What can we say?
Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns
A glowingly good family event in Old Westbury Gardens, Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns showcases pumpkins of all types and sizes, expertly carved or part of huge, multi-pumpkin structures. Every weekend during the event, 5,000 fresh real pumpkins are carved into new designs!
Scariness is not the center of this event. It’s family friendly, well-lit, and meant to be enjoyable for all ages. There will also be donuts and hot apple cider available, as well as other goods from local bakeries.
Advance tickets are required, so be sure to visit their website to get yours before you go.
Halloween Parade at Brady Park
Nothing beats a classic for family fun, either.
The annual Massapequa Park Halloween Costume Parade will be held in Brady Park on Oct. 28th.
Registration for the parade begins at noon with judging at 1 p.m. Creativity, originality, and execution will all be considered.
Prizes will be awarded in four different age groups: under 1 year, 1-3 years, 4-6 years, and 7-9 years. A grand prize will be awarded to what is considered the best overall costume. Even if your little pumpkin doesn’t win a prize, hot dogs, soda, and candy will still be available for everyone.
Pumpkin Park at Adventureland Amusement Park
On Oct. 20 and 21, Adventureland takes on the mantle of Pumpkin Park!
Kids will be able to enjoy free trick-or-treating within the park (treat books are required but available at the entrance) and costume wearing is encouraged! Park staff will be dressed in their Halloween best as well.
Pumpkin Park will also offer bracelets for unlimited rides and accepting donations to The Helping Hands Foundation. Bring some nonperishable food to donate to your local pantry!
Don't Let Foot and Ankle Problems Scare You Out of Fun
Whether you prefer your Halloweens more grin-filled or gore-filled, make sure you’re able to enjoy the parades and Jack O’ lanterns with as little pain and discomfort as possible.
You don’t have to be afraid of a visit to Massapequa Podiatry Associates. We champion conservative treatments whenever possible, which means we won’t automatically recommend surgery for a problem unless other avenues have failed or just aren’t going to work. We’re not slashers here!
Our Massapequa office is always happy to hear from new and returning patients alike. Give us a call at (516) 541-9000 or fill out our online contact form to reach out to a member of our staff.