Hocus Pocus Halloweekend in Beacon is a Success

By Jennifer L. Warren

BEACON – Beacon’s Main Street strip was all about Halloween this past weekend, and hundreds of excited people of all ages were soaking up and reveling in every ghoulish morsel of it.

The City once again welcomed in the extremely popular late October holiday weekend, Halloweekend, with an assortment of added and enhanced activities, wielding close to 1,000 Facebook “interested” responses. The three days, packed with activities, special offers, refreshments and just plain good fun, was hosted by the newly reformed Beacon Chamber of Commerce.

Featuring several sponsors, including; the Beacon Teachers Association (BTA), The Gatehouse Team at Compass, Hyperbole, DRV LAW, Vossi Malao, ROCO Benefit Solutions, Dr. Normington Schofield of the Chiropractic Group of the Hudson Valley, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, and Signs by Depew, the long weekend was also highlighted by the active participation of 40 local businesses, many offering “Spooky Specials.” Among those were; Happy Valley’s $2 off new Witches Brew Cocktail and Melzingah’s $2 off its Hocus Pocus Punch as well as The Snooki Shop’s prize wheel for discounts, free gifts and sales items.

And of course, there was the Annual Parade on Saturday afternoon. Lining up at the Beacon Welcome Center, the colorful and creatively clad large group of costumed participants, along with an eye-popping purple Jokermobile and other spookily decorated vehicle, made their way up Main Street for an approximately 45 minute rolling style parade. Met with enthusiastic onlookers and plenty of cheers, the participants included a wide assortment of ages, all eager to share their holiday excitement.

Once the contingent came upon the East End Spooky Street spot, they were then treated to music by Beacon School of Rock as well as delicious cider and treats at the Roundhouse. Studio 845 was also immersed in the action, as they were hosting a Thriller Workshop in front of 1 East Main Street. Everywhere one looked people were smiling, laughing and just plain immersing themselves in the Halloween spirit.

A costume judging contest and Black Cat Scavenger Hunt were further popular attractions. Pins were provided to those who chose to be involved in the costume contest that was judged by business owners. Meanwhile, the Scavenger Hunt included passports for kids to carry store-to-store and were stamped by store owners, allowing for earned rewards and free giveaways.

The Chamber received continual thank you remarks for their efforts from parents throughout the weekend. They further kept hearing what a wonderful event it was and how much everyone was already looking forward to it taking place next year.

The incredibly warm reception to the event was credited to multiple factors, chiefly centered upon community building, something that continues to grow in the City of Bacon.

“We wanted to bring back the Hocus Pocus Halloween Parade (was canceled past couple of years due to Covid); it has always been such a fun and bonding event for the community,” said Beacon resident and one of the event’s committee members, Charlotte Guernsey, who also owns Lambs Hill Bridal and Gate House Team at Compass. “The idea was the kids could have fun hunting for cats, and the parents could be drawn into stores they’ve never been in before; the feedback was amazing all around.”