Rye kids painted more than 400 windows as part of the city’s annual Halloween window painting contest on Oct. 20, marking the 72nd year of the spooky tradition.
The hallowed happening once again transformed downtown into a hauntingly vibrant festival, anchored by the second annual costume parade and contest. Additional activities included pumpkin decorating, face painting, a magic show, balloons, caricatures, and a bake sale to benefit the Rye Children’s Philanthropy.
The day was filled with moments of creativity. Aidan Shaw, in his third year of painting windows, found an unexpected artistic opportunity when a small child came by and placed a hand on his painting, leaving a little print on the glass.
“We painted it red, and it turned out super scary,” Shaw said.
Down the street, Rosalie Louw and her children, ages 6 and 9, were hard at work on a scream-themed window, having begun their masterpiece at nine that morning.
“It’s so nice that our community does this every year, now with all the dancing and the carnival atmosphere,” Louw said. “The painting is fun because it’s a process — you put on the background, then wait for it to dry and start the next layer — it takes all day.”
For second-year participants Abigail Smit and Isabel Kosiek, purple was the big inspiration for their bewitching lavender-themed window.
“It’s cool because you get to paint on a window, which you barely ever get to do,” Smit said. “I also really like dancing with my friends.”
“You get to be really creative, too,” Koziek added.
The costume parade featured an assortment of frightfully fun outfits. Dabney Lee Woglom, owner of Dabney Lee, and Abbie Durkin, owner of Palmer and Purchase, judged the competition. Winning costumes included a family dressed as the cast of “Frozen” and an adorable baby giraffe.
“I love seeing how happy the kids are and watching the tradition of this event grow,” Woglom said. “There’s more of a sense of community around it now.”
Durkin echoed the true community feel of the celebration. “This is a real local, Rye event with a fun festival feel,” she said.
The expanded celebration continues thanks to Rye Recreation and the Children’s Philanthropy division of the Women’s Club of Rye. Andrea Vassos, who has been involved with the Women’s Club for more than 10 years, said the group sponsors many of the day’s activities, including the scavenger hunt and the bake sale.
“It’s evolved over the years,” Vassos said. “Other groups are out here now, too. This celebration is a favorite of mine.”
Lauren Peek, attending with her sons, Colin, 3, and Hunter, 2, has made the event an annual tradition.
“We’ve come to this every year for the last three years,” Peek said. “Colin’s favorite part is face painting.”
DJ Rockin’ Rob provided upbeat tunes throughout the day, tossing candy into the crowd as families danced around Purchase Street. Rye’s very own Buckley Manor Band took the stage in the afternoon, playing classic rock favorites.
Also returning this year was Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, who impressed festivalgoers with professionally etched, Rye-themed pumpkins. Three large carvings were raffled off to lucky attendees to take home and display.
Photos by Alison Rodilosso
