East End Halloween Festival To Offer A Weekend Of Frights And Fun

The weekend before Halloween, Downtown Riverhead will be transformed into a haven for All Hallows’ Eve as part of Halloween Fest 2018.

The East End spooktacular will kick-off with a screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Suffolk Theater on Friday, October 26. The classic will begin at 8 p.m. and there will be a prize awarded for the best Rocky Horror costume – so don’t be afraid to really go all out, whether you’re feeling like a Brad, Janet, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Rocky, or even Magenta.

Saturday will feature the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Halloween Fest Coffin Races – yes, there will be races with actual coffins constructed by competitors – on the Peconic Riverfront behind East End Arts, a Bats, Barnacles & Broomsticks soiree for children at the Long Island Aquarium, Pumpkin Carving, which will be displayed during the Jack O’Lantern Walk, Trick or Treating on Main Street, seasonal specials at local eateries, the 5th annual costumed Halloween Parade that ends in a “Parade Show” on the Peconic Riverfront, and a Halloween Masquerade Ball for adults at the Long Island Aquarium.

“We are really looking forward to a bigger parade this year and more community members and organizations participating!” Diane Tucci, of the Riverhead Business Improvement District Management Association, shared. “We have locals schools, musicians, theater groups involved.”

Trick or treat stations will include Blue Duck Bakery, Crooked Ladder, Dark Horse, Diggers, Hyatt Place Hotel, Jerry & the Mermaid, Kix and Stylz, PeraBell, Riverhead Sewing Center, Salvation Army, Suffolk Theater, Sunny’s Riverhead Grill, Taqueria, and Cucina 25.

“We hope that anybody who loves Halloween will come out and join in the parade or enjoy watching from the sidelines,” Tucci noted. “We’ll also have two fire shows this year by Keith Leif and and more family friendly activities!”

Saturday’s festivities will commence at 11:30 a.m. and continue through 12 a.m. on Sunday.

“Stop by a local restaurant and enjoy specials just for HalloweenFest,” Tucci added.

For more information, visit halloweenfestriverhead.com.