Old Bethpage Village Presents An “1880 Halloween” on October 24 - 25, 31

Old Bethpage Village Restoration will celebrate a traditional Halloween, as it would have been enjoyed by Long Island families in the late 19th century, announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. An “1880 Halloween” will take place on successive weekends on October 24 - 25 and October 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“During the 19th century, Halloween celebrations involved ghost stories and mischief like removing gates and tipping over sheds and outhouses,” says OBVR Site Director Jim McKenna. “Americans also began to dress in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, borrowing from the Irish and English traditions.”

The Halloween program incorporates a broad range of family-friendly activities, including the reading of Irish and American ghost stories and tales from the local “grave digger”; carving jack-o’-lanterns; participating in a 19th-century “monster hunt” in the Village; and touring the “haunted habitats” of the Village during the “ghost walk.” In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy a magic lantern show that makes use of a 19th-century lantern and beautiful and humorous hand-painted antique lantern slides.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration provides visitors with a unique and wonderful opportunity to step back in time and experience life in a recreated mid-19th-century American village set on more than 200 acres. Hours are Wed. - Fri., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; and Sat. - Sun., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Entrance fees are $7 for children 5 - 12 (those under 5 are free), seniors and volunteer firefighters; and $10 for adults. It is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage; for more information, call 516-572-8400.