The Stand
Halloween is all about fun and fantasy, and you’ll find all of that in these special events
WHAT: Zoo Boo
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27
WHERE: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Burnet Park One Conservation Place
DETAILS: Enjoy Halloween fun in the daytime sun at a Halloween party at the zoo. Come in costume and trick-or-treat with the animals during this kid-friendly haunt with themed treats, creepy-crawly animal encounters, keeper talks, and games. This “kooky not spooky” events provides Halloween fun without fear.
COST: $8 per child, in addition to regular zoo admissions. Tickets sold at the zoo, online or by phone by calling (315) 435-8511 ext. 8512
MORE INFO: Visit rosamondgiffordzoo.org
WHAT: Ghostbuster Car & Doughnuts
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
WHERE: Glazed & Confused, 211 N. Clinton St.
DETAILS: Families welcome to come downtown to view the original Ghostbuster car from the movie and enjoy slime doughnuts.
COST: Free to attend
MORE INFO: Visit Facebook and search “Glazed and Confused Ghostbuster Car”
WHAT: Haunted Library Escape Room
WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
WHERE: Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St.
DETAILS: In this Escape Room scenario, a long time ago the architects of Hazard Library buried a time capsule which contained the library card which belonged to the building’s namesake – Frederick Hazard. Ever since, librarians have noticed strange things happening at the library: books mysteriously falling from their shelves, loud wails coming from the basement and elevator doors eerily creeping open, even when no one is inside. Recently, the box which contains Hazard’s card was unearthed during a construction project, and the librarians are desperate to open the box. Can you help the librarians open the box and return Fred Hazard’s library card to its proper resting place? For ages 12 to 18.
COST: Free to attend
MORE INFO: Call (315) 435-5326
WHAT: Saturday Matinee: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
WHERE: Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St.
DETAILS: Families welcome for a screening of the first film in the Harry Potter series shown with closed captions. Attendees are welcome to bring a pillow or blanket to get comfortable. Library staff will provide snacks. Movie is 2 hours and 30 minutes and recommended for ages 7 and up.
COST: Free to attend
MORE INFO: Call (315) 435-1940
WHAT: Monster Bookmarks
WHEN: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22
WHERE: Central Library’s KidSpace, Level 2, 447 S. Salina St.
DETAILS: Open to children ages 5 to 12 to give your book a spooky flair by making a creepy monster corner bookmark.
COST: Free to attend
MORE INFO: Call (315) 435-1900
WHAT: Halloween Drumming
WHEN: 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25
WHERE: Mundy Branch Library, 1204 S. Geddes St.
DETAILS: Library will welcome CommUNITY Rhythms for a special costume and storytelling music-making event. Open to all ages.
COST: Free to attend
MORE INFO: Call (315) 435-3797
WHAT: Halloween Spells & Magic
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
WHERE: Inspiration Hall, 709 James St.
DETAILS: Concert features the magical music of Tchaikovsky, Falla, Harry Potter films and more. Costumes are encouraged, and a costume parade will be featured as part of the performance. Prior to the concert, the Instrument Discovery Zone will open at 10 a.m. for youth to try out instruments. Snacks are also served in the lobby beginning at 10 a.m.
COST: Children under 18 are free. Tickets range in price from $5 to $15
MORE INFO: Visit experiencesymphoria.org
WHAT: Spooky Pipe Cleaner Spiders
WHEN: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29
WHERE: Central Library’s KidSpace, Level 2, 447 S. Salina St.
DETAILS: Open to children ages 5 to 12 to get in the Halloween spirit by making spooky spiders out of pipe cleaners and beads.
COST: Free to attend
MORE INFO: Call (315) 435-1900
WHAT: No Tricks, Just Treats Kids Halloween Bash
WHEN: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29
WHERE: 5996 E. Molloy Road
DETAILS: Youth encouraged to come in costume for a fun, safe indoor Halloween bash featuring Halloween-themed game stations. Youth can walk from station to station, playing fun, quick, Halloween games and get handfuls of candy at each area (all candy will be peanut/nut free). Additional stations include mini pumpkin decorating, photos with popular costumed characters and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Snacks by Glazed & Confused and other local vendors will be for sale, including beverages such as cider and hot cocoa.
COST: All activities included in entrance fee. $10 per child ages 4 to 7; parents and youth 3 years an younger free.
MORE INFO: Visit eventbrite.com and search “No Tricks, Just Treats.”
WHAT: Painting Pumpkins
WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30
WHERE: Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St.
DETAILS: Celebrate Halloween by decorating pumpkins with glow-in-the-dark puffy paint. Space is limited with preference given to children ages 10 to 16.
COST: Free to attend
MORE INFO: Call (315) 435-1940
WHAT: The Wild Animal Park’s Flashlight Safari & Halloween Nights
WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Every Friday and Saturday in October
WHERE: 7621 Lakeport Road, Chittenango
DETAILS: This family-friendly Halloween event allows kids to dress up, enjoy bounce houses under the lights and see the zoo’s animals when they are most active.
COST: Regular admission applies; adults $12.99, seniors $10.99 and children up to age 12 $10.99
MORE INFO: Call (315) 510-3347
