Greenport Halloween weekend brings parade, trick-or-treating and spooky train rides
Costumed characters, candy and train rides will bring Halloween spirit to Greenport this weekend, with the village’s annual parade and a two-night spooktacular at the Greenport Express.
The village’s 14th annual Halloween parade steps off Saturday at 11:30 a.m., following an 11 a.m. lineup at Floyd Memorial Library on First Street. Marchers will head down First Street, turn right onto Front Street and wind up near Mitchell Park.
From 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., children under 12 can enjoy free carousel rides sponsored by the Friends of Mitchell Park. If you’re in the mood for a thriller, Miss Nina, Floyd Memorial Library’s children’s librarian, will lead spooky storytime at the Blue Duck Bakery courtyard at noon.
“It’s a fun day of Halloween activities for families,” said event organizer and Blue Duck Bakery owner Nancy Kouris. “Adults and children dress up, and many participate in the parade, while others line the streets to watch.”
After the parade, from noon to 3 p.m., 42 village businesses will offer trick-or-treating. Ms. Kouris said this is the most businesses she’s seen participate since she started organizing the event in 2020.
“I participate every year,” said Harbor Pet owner Kim Loper. “It’s for the community. It brings people into the business district, and it’s just a good cause.”
Ms. Loper stocked up on treats, saying she expected a big year for the event, coming on the heels of the Maritime Festival two weekends ago.
“I can go through about five to seven bags of candy,” Ms. Loper continued, as she pointed to half of the amount of bags behind her front counter. “It’s a whole family affair. You can’t leave the dog out!”
The festivities also include “Bats, Black Cats and Things that Go Bump in the Night,” a scavenger hunt before the North Fork Arts Center’s 2 p.m. screening of “Hocus Pocus” at the Sapan Theater.
“The businesses put numbered Halloween items in their windows, and the kids go around the village looking for them,” Ms. Kouris said, explaining the scavenger hunt. “It’s a fun way to get the families into businesses and explore the whole village. “
Kids who return their forms to Blue Duck Bakery receive a cookie and other small treats. They will also be entered into a random drawing for a special Halloween basket.
The celebration doesn’t stop at 3 p.m. The Greenport Express on Moores Lane will host “The Halloween Spooktacular” from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, following its Friday kickoff from 4 to 9 p.m. Admission Friday is $9 with a costume; Saturday admission is $10.
Photos by Nick Mongiovi
