Halloween will arrive early in Riverhead next Saturday, Oct. 19, when the popular Halloween Fest event comes downtown.
The event, hosted by the Riverhead Business Improvement District, features coffin races, trick-or-treating, a lamp decorating contest and a Halloween parade.
The event starts at 2 p.m. with coffin races on Main Street. Crowds will line the sidewalks to cheer on their favorite teams as they push custom made coffin karts. There are two divisions for the competitions, the Ghoulies (5-12 years old) and the Zombies (12+ years old), with the winning team in each division receiving a $500 cash prize.
Check-in and inspections for the races start at 1 p.m. at the town square. Find out how to register and compete in the races here.
Trick-or-treating at downtown businesses will take place from 3-5 p.m., with live music and other free activities in the town square.
A lamp post decorating competition will take place during and proceeding the event. Use zip ties to attach Halloween or fall themed items on the lamp posts, which will be voted on by the public from Oct. 19-30. The winners of the competition will be announced Oct. 31 and receive a $250 prize. Find out how to register for the competition here.
The popular Goblin Parade will march down Main Street at 6 p.m. to cap off the evening. The parade starts at the intersection of West Main Street and Griffing Avenue and ends at the town square, where music and performances continue until 7 p.m.. Participants in the parade can win cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100. Details to register for marching in the parade can be found on the BID’s website.
In the case of rain, the event will be postponed and held on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Halloween Fest is organized by the BID Management Association, which is seeking volunteers to help with trick-or-treat candy distribution, the coffin races and the parade. You can register to volunteer to assist in the event on the BID’s website.
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