Halloween Parade Haunts Nyack Saturday

The second-largest Halloween parade in the state of New York will take over the streets of Nyack Saturday.

The Nyack Chamber of Commerce organized the 26th annual Halloween Parade from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the expectation of over 20,000 spectators lining Main Street and Broadway in Nyack.

The event begins with live music provided by Anjel Blue Rehearsal Studios and the Nyack Music School from 3 p.m .to 5 p.m. in the municipal parking lot on Main Street, with Danielle Sheri and the Pipleliners among the featured performers. Marchers and floats will gather in Memorial Park at 4 p.m.. Registration is required to be eligible for prizes. All are welcome to march in the parade, which steps off at 5:30 p.m. Nyack's Main Street will be closed for the parade and related activities from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The parade will include Therese Schom's "Festival of Gouls," 15-foot-tall puppets controlled by performers from Nyack's Amazing Grace Circus. Other participants will include the Suburban Roller Derby of Westchester, the Rockland Boulders, H.O.G.S. Shriners, the Hudson Vagabond Puppets, local fire departments and high school marching bands from Nyack High, East Ramapo, Clarkstown North and Clarkstown South along with the Nanuet drum line. 

Harriet Cornell, chair of the Rockland County Legislature, will serve as the parade's grand marshall. Nyack Mayor Jen Laird White and the village trustees will join other local officials and celebrities. The trustees will join former Rockland County Legislator Connie Cocker as judges of the costume and float contests.

The winner of the Best Float competition will receive a $750 cash prize. Costume prizes are given out in seven categories and range from $25 to $200. Awards will be presented in the Main Street parking lot after the parade, followed by more live music and dancing. To register a float, join as a marcher or contribute as a sponsor, go to the Nyack Chamber of Commerce website, www.nyackchamber.org, or call (845) 353-2221. 

Nyack Center Monster Mash

• Where: The Nyack Center on Broadway in Nyack
• When: Saturday, October 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Cost: Entry is free. Game tickets cost $5. Plate of food for $5
• Description: Right after the Nyack Halloween Parade, walk down Broadway to the Nyack Center for dinner, games and live music by Danna Banana. Presented by the Nyack Center and Toga Bike Shop. 

Singer/Songwriter John Gorka in Concert

• Where: The Turning Point, 468 Piermont Avenue in Piermont
• When: Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m.
• Cost: $30 per ticket
• Description: Folk musician John Gorka recently released his 11th studio album, So Dark You See. Read more here. 
  

JCC Rockland Jewish Cultural Arts Festival Begins

• Where: Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern
  
• When: Saturday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m.
  
• Cost: $25 general admission, $75 patrons
  
• Description: JCC Rockland’s Jewish Cultural Arts Festival from October 26 to November 23 celebrates Jewish art, film, literature and music with a lineup of outstanding events. The opening event is a concert with renowned Jewish Jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen and her quartet, featuring a special appearance by legendary jazz impresario George Wein. Her style is a blend of Brazilian choro and samba, combined with classic New Orleans jazz and just a hint of klezmer. Go here for ticket information.