The Riverhead Halloween Fest coffin races have been canceled this year due to forecast heavy rains and winds Saturday, the Riverhead Business Improvement District Management Association announced.
The Halloween parade will be moved to Sunday at 7 p.m., the organization said in a press release.
The Jack O’Lantern Walk will be moved to Sunday subject to weather conditions. The pumpkin contest will still be held and prizes awarded. Other events in downtown will be not be affected.
The coffin races had to be canceled because they were scheduled to take place on Heidi Behr Way along the Peconic Riverfront and they must be held on dry pavement for safety’s sake, BIDMA executive director Diane Tucci said.
Organizers are discussing solutions for the future, including adding extra dates in for rain dates when submitting event applications and planning operations, she said.
“Weather is the most challenging and uncontrollable part of hosting outdoor events,” Tucci said. “Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions, but they are based on both the safety of our attendees while trying to maintain a great event. People have spent a lot of time decorating lamp-posts, building floats and ‘coffins’ and making plans for HalloweenFest,” she said.
“We are hopeful for good weather Sunday. There’s plenty to do downtown all weekend, so hopefully people will stop in and enjoy a Main Street restaurant or event,” she said.
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