The Edgar Allen Poe Festival returns to Riverhead this weekend with a full slate of family-friendly activities that kick off with a Poe Parade down Main Street Friday night. The three-day-event is sponsored by The Town of Riverhead and The Riverhead BID and created by St. George Living History Productions.
FRIDAY, October 30
Free Witches Brew served all day to children at Blue Duck Bakery. Poe Inspired Menus available all weekend at Blue Duck Bakery, Dark Horse Restaurant, Uncle Joe’s, Sonoma Grill, Joe’s Garage, The Long Island Aquarium, PeraBell Restaurant and more.
7 p.m. Poe Parade on Main Street – Parading down Main Street will be the Headless Horseman, costume characters, dancers, spooky surprises, macabre music. The parade will conclude with a Michael Jackson Thriller Flash Mob.
8 p.m. Masquerade Ball cocktail party in the Aquarium. Open bar, DJ and dancing, hors d’oeuvres plus light buffet stations. (Admission).
8:30 p.m. The Ghost Hunters on Stage – Award winning author of Historic Haunts of Long Island Kerriann Flanagan Brosky and paranormal ghost hunter Joe Giaquinto team up at Vail Levitt Music Hall for a spirited evening of supernatural tales to reveal what lurks on the streets of Riverhead.
SATURDAY, October 31
Free Witches Brew served all day to children at Blue Duck Bakery. Poe Inspired Menus available all weekend at Blue Duck Bakery, Dark Horse Restaurant, Uncle Joe’s, Sonoma Grill, Joe’s Garage, The Long Island Aquarium and more.
11 a.m. Mystery Writers of America – Meet today’s most acclaimed Mystery Writers at the Dark Horse Restaurant.
11 a.m. Children’s Song and Dance Musical: The Monster Mash Musical Revue at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Trick or Treat on Main Street – Riverhead’s merchants welcome trick-or-treaters with sweets and treats.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Haunted School House Ghosts and Giggles – Story time for little monsters on the grounds of the East End Arts Council.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Mystery of Victorian Embalming – Continuous Tours – Visit the graveyard at the Long Island Science Center, but beware of grave robbers!
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Poe’s Little Monster’s Game Room – Free family games, prizes, activities and stories. Location TBA.
11:30 a.m. Tales of Terror – Author Linda Frank reads Poe’s The Black Cat at the Sonoma Grill.
11:30 a.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Rose Ellen reads children’s Halloween stories at East End Arts Center.
11:30 a.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Donna Spradley reads children’s Halloween stories at Poe’s Little Monster’s Game Room.
12 p.m. The Ghost Writers – One act play depicting a fictitious meeting between three classic writers of the macabre: Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
12 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Nina Mansfield reads Poe’s Mask of the Red Death at Uncle Joe’s.
12 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Jack Batcher reads his children’s’ book, Monsters in my Closet, at the Haunted Story House at East End Arts grounds.
12 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Sandra Lanton reads Poe’s The Haunted Palace at Blue Duck Bakery.
12 p.m. Lisa Dabrowski presents The Legend of Lizzie Borden at Joe’s Garage.
12:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Adrianne Arnau reads children’s Halloween stories at Sweet Tart.
12:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Joe Finora reads Poe’s The Bells at East End Arts.
12:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Donna Spradley reads children’s Halloween stories at Blue Duck Bakery.
12:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Rose Ellen Walls reads children’s Halloween stories at Vital A Tea.
12:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Collette Steels reads children’s Halloween stories at Poe’s Little Monster’s Game Room.
12:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Phoenix Redhawk reads Poe’s Poems at Green Earth.
1 p.m. Destination: Inspiration – Author/Entertainer Jason Edwards challenges children to create a story in this entertaining, highly-interactive program at Vail Leavitt Music Hall. Kids don’t just watch the performance – they become a part of it. No reading or writing skills required.
1 p.m. Blood Splatters, Vampires and Zombies – Forensic Authority, Mystery Writer Linda Frank at the LI Science Center.
1 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Nanci LaGareene reads The Vanishing Pumpkin at Haunted School House on the East End Arts grounds.
1 p.m. Tales of Terror – Charlene Knadle reads Poe’s The Raven at Diggers.
1 p.m. Tales of Terror – Carl DiModugno reads Tales of Woe at the Riverhead Diner and Grill.
1 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Wendy Wax reads City of Witch County and Bus to Booville at Joe’s Garage.
1:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Eric Young reads Poe’s The Raven at Sweet Tart.
1:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Sandra Lanton reads Poe’s The Haunted Palace at Sonoma Grill.
1:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Adrienne Arnau reads children’s Halloween stories at the Aquarium.
1:30 p.m. Lisa Dabrowski presents The Legend of Lizzie Borden at Blue Duck Bakery.
1:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Paul Paradise reads Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado at Vines and Hops.
1:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Jack Batchers reads his book, There are Monsters in my Closet, at Poe’s Little Monster’s Game Room.
2 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Jeff Markowitz reads excerpts from Death and White Diamonds at Diggers.
2 p.m. Tales of Terror – Carl DiModugno reads Tales of Woe at the Cliff’s Elbow Room.
2 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Donna Spradley reads children’s Halloween stories at Haunted School House on East End Arts grounds.
2 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Joe Finora reads Poe’s The Bells at Vital A Tea.
2 p.m. Children’s Song and Dance Musical: The Monster Mash Musical Revue at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
2 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Wendy Corsi-Staub reads Poe’s Annabelle Lee at PeraBell.
2 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Nanci LaGareene reads The Vanishing Pumpkin at Poe’s Little Monster’s Game Room.
2 p.m. Tales of Terror – Phoenix Redhawk reads Poe’s Poems at Green Earth.
2:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Adrianne Arnau reads children’s Halloween stories at Sonoma Grill.
2:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Eric Young reads Poe’s The Raven at the Aquarium.
2:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Wendy Wax reads City of Witch County and Bus to Booville at Riverhead Diner and Grill.
2:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Rebecca Marx will read excerpts from her book and a Poe story at Uncle Joe’s.
3 p.m. The Ghost Writers – One act play depicting a fictitious meeting between three classic writers of the macabre: Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
3 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Rose Ellen Walls reads children’s Halloween stories at the Aquarium.
3 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Jack Batcher reads Poe’s Dream Within a Dream at Blue Duck.
3 p.m. Lisa Dabrowski presents The Legend of Lizzie Borden at Vines and Hops.
3 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Collette Steels reads children’s Halloween stories at The Haunted School House on East End Arts grounds.
3 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Paul Paradise reads Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado at Joe’s Garage.
3 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Joe Finora reads Poe’s The Bells at Jerry and The Mermaid.
3:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Karen Levine reads a surprise Poe short story at Diggers.
3:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Jeff Markowitz reads excerpts from Death and White Diamonds at East End Arts.
3:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Nanci LaGareene reads The Vanishing Pumpkin at Haunted School House.
4 p.m. Tales of Terror – Eric Young reads Poe’s The Raven at Cliff’s Elbow Room.
4 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Linda Frank reads Poe’s The Black Cat at Vital A Tea.
4 p.m. Tales of Terror – Phoenix Redhawk reads Poe’s Poems at Green Earth.
4 p.m. Children’s Song and Dance Musical: The Monster Mash Musical Revue at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
4 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Rebecca Marks reads Poe’s Tell Tale Heart and excerpts from her novel at Blue Duck Bakery.
4 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Wendy Wax reads City of Witch County and Bus to Booville at Uncle Joe’s.
4 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Paul Paradise reads Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado at Jerry and The Mermaid.
4:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Karen Levine reads a surprise Poe short story at Vine and Hops.
4:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Carl DiModugno reads Tales of Woe at PeraBell.
4:30 p.m. Peek-a-BOO! A Miniature Kid’s Show starring comedy host Joe Finora and the Riverhead ReDancers who will present two specialty numbers at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
6 p.m. Poe’s Little Monster Masquerade Party – Wear your Halloween costume to this variety show designed for kids of all ages. Singing, dancing juggling, games and prizes will be featured in this interactive show at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
6:30 p.m. Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Suffolk Theater (Admission).
8 p.m. Trick or Treat Party at Joe’s Garage.
12 a.m. Celebrate Halloween with a Masquerade Ball cocktail party in the Aquarium. Open bar, DJ and dancing, hors d’oeuvres plus light buffet stations. (Admission).
SUNDAY, November 1
Poe Inspired Menus available all weekend at Blue Duck Bakery, Dark Horse Restaurant, Uncle Joe’s Restaurant, Sonoma Grill, Joe’s Garage and more.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bats, Barnacles and Broomsticks Halloween Party at the Aquarium (Admission).
11 a.m. Eat, Drink and Be Scary Family Brunch at the Aquarium (Admission).
12 p.m. The Ghost Writers – One act play depicting a fictitious meeting between three classic writers of the macabre: Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
12 p.m. Sisters in Crime – Meet today’s most acclaimed female authors and mystery writers at the Dark Horse Restaurant.
12 to 4 p.m. The Haunted School House -Ghosts and Giggles story time for little monsters. Located on the grounds of the East End Arts Council.
12 to 4 p.m. The Mystery of Victorian Embalming – Continuous Tours – Visit the graveyard at the Long Island Science Center, but beware of grave robbers.
12 to 4 p.m. Poe’s Little Monster’s Game Room – Free family games, prizes, activities and stories for Little Monsters. Location TBA.
12:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Kathy Ryan reads Spirits of the Dead at Sonoma Grill.
12:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Izzy Doroski reads The Inverted Mask at Vital A Tea.
12:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Carl DiModugno reads Tales of Woe at PeraBell.
1 p.m. Lisa Dabrowski presents The Legend of Lizzie Borden at Joe’s Garage.
1 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Rebecca Marks reads Poe’s Tell Tale Heart and excerpts from her novel at Sweet Tart.
1 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Donna Spradley reads children’s’ Halloween stories at Haunted School House on East End Arts grounds.
1 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Melissa Kuch reads Poe’s Pit and the Pendulum at Blue Duck Bakery.
1 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Jack Batcher reads Poe’s Dream Within a Dream at Uncle Joe’s.
1 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Collette Steels reads children’s Halloween stories at Poe’s Little Monster’s Game Room. Location TBA.
1 p.m. Tales of Terror – Phoenix Redhawk reads Poe’s Poems at Green Earth.
1 p.m. Children’s Song and Dance Musical: The Monster Mash Musical Revue at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
1 p.m. Blood Splatters, Vampires and Zombies – Forensic Authority, Mystery Writer Linda Frank at the LI Science Center.
1:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Karen Levine reads a surprise Poe short story at Vital A Tea.
1:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Dina Santorelli reads Poe’s Tell Tale Heart at Sweet Tart.
1:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Adrianne Arnau reads children’s Halloween stories at Riverhead Diner and Grill.
1:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Rose Ellen Walls reads children’s Halloween stories at PeraBell Restaurant.
2 p.m. Destination: Inspiration – Author/Entertainer Jason Edwards challenges children to create a story in this entertaining, highly-interactive program at Vail Leavitt Music Hall. Kids don’t just watch the performance – they become a part of it. No reading or writing skills required.
2 p.m. Meet and Greet with the Stars of the Ghost Writers – Edgar Allan Poe (Darren St. George), Mary Shelley (Lisa Monde) and Bram Stoker (David Burt) recite passages from their classic works. Poe will read The Tell Tale Heart, Shelley will recite an excerpt from Frankenstein and Stoker will read a selection from Dracula at the Suffolk County Historical Society.
2 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Izzy Doroski reads The Inverted Mask at Blue Duck Bakery.
2 p.m. Tales of Terror – Kathy Ryan reads the horror story, Alone, at Joe’s Garage.
2 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Donna Spradley reads children’s Halloween stories at Poe’s Little Monster’s Game Room. Location TBA.
2 p.m. Lisa Dabrowski presents The Legend of Lizzie Borden at Jerry and The Mermaid.
2:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Charlene Knadle reads November Light at Riverhead Diner and Grill.
2:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Melissa Kuch reads Poe’s Tell Tale Heart at Uncle Joe’s.
2:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Rebecca Marks reads Poe’s Tell Tale Heart and excerpts from her novel at Sonoma Grill.
3 p.m. The Ghost Writers – One act play depicting a fictitious meeting between three classic writers of the macabre: Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
3 p.m. Tales of Terror – Carl DiModugno reads Tales of Woe at Cliff’s Elbow Room.
3 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Collette Steels reads children’s Halloween stories at Haunted Schoolhouse on grounds of East End Arts.
3 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Dina Santorelli reads Poe’s Tell Tale Heart at Blue Duck Bakery.
3 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Rose Ellen Walls reads children’s Halloween stories at Joe’s Garage.
3 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Adrianne Arnau reads children’s Halloween stories at Poe’s Little Monster’s Game Room. Location TBA.
3:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Karen Levine reads a surprise Poe short story at Blue Duck Bakery.
3:30 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Jack Batcher reads Poe’s Dream Within a Dream at Vines and Hops.
3:30 p.m. Lisa Dabrowski presents The Legend of Lizzie Borden at PeraBell.
4 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Rebecca Marks reads a surprise classic Poe horror story at Uncle Joe’s.
4 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Melissa Kuch reads The Hypothesis of Giants at Cliff’s Elbow Room.
4 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Author Rose Ellen Walls reads children’s Halloween stories at Sweet Tarts.
4 p.m. Ghosts and Giggles – Donna Spradley reads children’s Halloween stories at Blue Duck Bakery.
4 p.m. Children’s Song and Dance Musical: The Monster Mash Musical Revue at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
4 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Linda Frank reads Poe’s The Black Cat at Vital A Tea.
4:30 p.m. Peek-a-BOO! A Miniature Kid’s Show starring comedy host Joe Finora and the Riverhead ReDancers who will present two specialty numbers at Vail Leavitt Music Hall.
4:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Carl DiModugno reads Tales of Woe at Jerry and The Mermaid.
4:30 p.m. Tales of Terror – Author Dina Santorelli reads Poe’s Tell Tale Heart at Vine and Hops.
5 p.m. WAR OF THE WORLDS: A contemporary re-imagining of the classic Orson Welles’s 1938 Radio Broadcast at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall. Featuring the talents of: Cindy Clifford – WALK; Walker Vreeland – WBAZ; David North – WALK; Lisa Dabrowski – WLNG and Bruce Tria - WRIV. Portions of program may be too intense for younger audiences.
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