It was all treat and no trick this Halloween as Brooklynites young and old celebrated the pinnacle of spooky season at exciting events across the borough.
Coney Island kids parade
Costume-clad kids and their families flocked to the People’s Playground on Saturday for the 12th Annual Children’s Halloween Festival and Parade. The afternoon of free activities took place at Maimonides Park, home to the Brooklyn Cyclones, featuring magic shows, inflatable mazes, arts-and-crafts and a special performance by the Big Apple Leadership of the Arts Marching Band.
“It truly was a wonderful day in Coney Island,” said Cindy Vourderis, events and marketing manager for the Alliance for Coney Island. “The weather was beautiful and we had an amazing turnout for the festival and parade.”
The business-boosting nonprofit teams up with local elected officials to host the parade each year. This year’s iteration was held in partnership with Councilmember Ari Kagan’s office.
“We are always so delighted to be able to host a fun-filled family event to celebrate Halloween and provide free activities and entertainment for our local community,” Vourderis said. “We appreciate the continued support of our elected officials and sponsors that help make this event possible each year. To see all the children’s smiling faces and excitement really makes the day so special.”
NIA’s Spooktacular and Halloween Festival
This Halloween, NIA Community Services Network welcomed a full return of its annual Spooktacular on 11th Avenue and Halloween Festival at Owl’s Head Park.
Over 2,500 attendees enjoyed food trucks, carnival games, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, live music and more — all while competing in exciting costume contests and digging their hands into some exciting fall crafts. Festival-goers also got to enjoy a Halloween-themed maze at the sprawling Bay Ridge park.
“NIA was very excited to bring our communities together once again this year to enjoy our fun-filled Halloween celebrations!” said NIA CEO Mary Anne Cino and Board President Michael A. Bove in a joint statement. “It was such a joy to have NIA’s talented student musicians and extraordinary dance team perform for such a huge and enthusiastic audience as a highlight of these special community events.”
The Dyker Heights-based organization, which celebrates its 41st anniversary this year, aims to improve the quality of life of families, seniors, and communities.
This year’s NIA Halloween events were hosted in partnership with Councilmember Justin Brannan, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Peter Abbate and with help from sponsors like Investors Bank, NYC Ferry, Planet Fitness and Ran Concessions.
BAM!boo
The Brooklyn Academy of Music brought Brooklynites Halloween excitement at its annual block party on Oct. 31.
The free outdoor party took place at 30 Lafayette Avenue, outside the storied theater, and included carnival games, a candy giveaway, and trick-or-treat popcorn. Families were encouraged to wear their wackiest and wildest costumes for an afternoon of community fun — and then stick around for special showings at BAM.
“Everyone always has such a good time with this event. There were family-friendly treats, dancing, music, arts and crafts, popcorn, roaming entertainment, and spooky film shorts for everyone to enjoy,” said Dewonnie Frederick, BAM’s director of community affairs. “Over 1,500 children, parents, and caregivers filled the block with creative and adorable costumes and laughter as we celebrated this fun holiday together as a community. BAM has been honored to host this spooktacular event for over 20 years now; each year, it gets bigger and bigger.”
