Get your coffins ready, Riverhead. Coffin races will be back at Riverhead’s Halloween Festival this year.
The races will take place on Griffing Avenue starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. (Check-in begins at 2 p.m.)
The race requires coffins built to specifications and four costumed runners and one rider. There’s a $20 race entry fee. Teams can register online.
The status of the races was in doubt until a group of volunteers led by Kevin Zaneski of Aquebogue stepped forward to coordinate the event.
“It’s a good thing for downtown,” Zaneski said. “I’m just helping out to try to keep things going.” He said he’s got six to eight volunteers helping him with the races.
The race event is part of a day of Halloween Festival activities downtown, that include trick-or-treating on Main Street from 4 to 6 p.m. and the popular Halloween Parade, which steps off on Main Street at 7 p.m.
Prizes for the parade’s best costume, best spirit, best-decorated float will be awarded after the parade ends in the Peconic River parking lot, said Diane Tucci, who is coordinating the parade.
There are lots of other things going on downtown during Halloween Festival weekend (admission fees apply) including: the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Suffolk Theater, a costume party for kids at the L.I. Aquarium, discounts at Escape Quest, a masquerade ball for adults at the L.I. Aquarium and Dracula the Play at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall.
Details on all the festival happenings are posted on the Riverhead Halloween Festival website.
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