Long Island Weekend Events October 23 & 24: Family Fall Festivals, Old Time Halloween and Goofy Gourds

10/21/10 - By Katia

Halloween is nearly here. I'm holding out on buying the candy, the candy that I eat and replace many times over before the actual day. The costumes need tweaking, and I'm starting the search for gloves and hats. But this weekend, it's not quite Halloween yet. And this weekend it's still fall, not yet winter. If you want to grab a bit more of fall like I do, here are some great ways to do it. And if you are feeling a little Halloweenish, then you can check our Halloween Guide, and I've got some spooky options for your family here too.

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Cooperage Inn
Baiting Hollow
631-727-8894
October 23rd & 24th
12pm-6pm
This is the last weekend of Cooperage Inn's Annual Fall Festival and you don't want to miss it. You can listen to live music while enjoying roasted corn, clam chowder, chicken pot pie and more. This is a favorite of the fall gatherings, and well worth getting off the couch and soaking in the fall beauty of Long Island. And your kids get all this plus face painting, a hay playground and pony rides, plus a great kids menu. Admission is FREE.

 

Haunted 1880 Halloween
October 23 & 24
October 30 & 31
from 11am-4pm
Old Bethpage Village Restoration is throwing a traditional Halloween event, where they will celebrate Halloween as though it were the late 19th century. Expect ghost stories, pranks, dressing in costumes and going from house to house to ask for food (hey, that sounds familiar). Plus other family friendly activities like pumpkin carving, 'monster hunt',  'ghost walk' and lantern show. Museum admission $10/adults, $7/children 5-12 (under 5 are free), and $7/seniors, volunteer firefighters.

 

Sagamore Hill Day's Family Festival
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
516-922-4788
Saturday, October 23rd
rain date Sunday, October 24
11am-4pm
Celebrate Theodore Roosevelt's 152nd birthday at the Fall Family Festival. In addition to traditional American music from Teddy's era, a ranger-led walk, and portrayal of Roosevelt by James Foote, expect demonstrations by a blacksmith, a bee keeper, a sheep shearing and a dairy cow demo. Also, there will be kids activities like games, crafts, pony rides and a petting zoo. Food will be available for purchase. With the exception of the pony rides and petting zoo, this event is FREE.

 

Goofy Gourds
Connetquot River State Park Preserve
Oakdale, NY
631-581-1072
Saturday, October 23
9:30am-11am
This will prove to be a messy and fun event where you can decorate gourds (materials provided). It isn't currently listed on their website, but I called and indeed, it's on. Registration is required, so call in advance. $4 for adults, kids ages 3-17 $3, kids under 3 free. Parking is $8, free parking for those with an empire pass.

 

Halloween Spooktacular
Park Shore
Dix Hills
631-499-8580
Saturday, October 23
11am-3pm
Pumpkin patch maze, bounce rides, hayride, food (dracula drinks!), photos with frankie-stein, haunted house, and more...including a bungee trampoline at this cool gathering at Park Shore Country Day Camp and School.

 

Halloween Tales and Treats
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site
Huntington Station
631-427-5240 x113
Saturday, October 23
1pm
This event promises stories, music, face painting, and prizes for best costume (don't forget your costume!) and a free raffle. Also, take in a house tour. For children pre-k through 6th grade, $7/child, chaperones free.