Weekend Planner: Carnival, Literary Fest

Peekskill Columbus Day Carnival
When/Where: Sunday, Oct. 7; begins 10 a.m., at the Riverfront Green Park, in Peekskill
Why go: Peekskill Celebration will hold a Columbus Weekend Carnival at Riverfront Green Park, Oct. 5-8. Hours vary depending on day. There will also be wristband times from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Proceeds to benefit Peekskill Celebration and The Peekskill Lions Club.
Price: Varies by ride. Wristbands are $25.00


When/Where: 5p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5; 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7; various locations throughout Peekskill,
Why go: Embark|Peekskill, Performing & Literary Arts, a not-for-profit coalition of performing and literary artists and companies from Peekskill and surrounding communities will host its second Performing & Literary Arts Festival over the weekend of October 5, 6 & 7.  Performances will occur at multiple locations in downtown Peekskill and at Peekskill’s state of the art Middle School Theater.  Local presenters include: YCP TheaterWorks, Hand to Mouth Players, Andrea Elam’s Synapse Dance Company, Antonia Arts’ The Wiz Kidz, Mark Sinnis, Raygull, and Matt Norris.  Literary offerings will feature Antonia’s South Street Poets and local writers Andrew Acciaro, Cindy Beer-Fouhy, Ian Berger, Patrice Klubnik, MaryAnn McCarra-Fitzpatrick,Natalia Ortega-Brown, Dan Shapiro, Maureen Winzig and Elocin Yrneh.
Price: Many events are free, but some require a cover charge. Check the flyer attached to this story for more information.

Heeling Autism’s First Annual Dogwalk
When/Where: Sunday, Oct. 7; begins 10 a.m.
Why go: On Sunday, Oct. 7th, the Heeling Autism program is hosting a dog parade at the Buchanan Pavilion. The program begins at 10 a.m. with a talk on the Heeling Autism program at Guiding Eyes for the Blind. A dog walk parade through the streets of Buchanan will follow the talk.
Price: A donation of $10 is requested

Support Connection 18th Annual Support-A-Walk
When/Where: Sunday, Oct. 7 at 9 a.m. at FDR State Park in Yorktown
Why go: Support Connection's 3-mile walk-a-thon is held every year to bring attention to the needs of people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Many participants walk in celebration of or in tribute to those affected by these diseases. Proceeds help fund Support connection's free support services for anyone affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Pre-Walk activities begin at 9 a.m. and the Walk begins at 10 a.m.
Contact: To register or donate for the Support-A-Walk, call 914-962-6402, email walk2012@supportconnection.org, or visit www.supportconnection.org
Price: No fees are charged to register or attend and there is no minimum required to make a donation.

4th Annual Yorktown Festival & Street Fair
When/Where: Sunday, Oct. 7 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown Yorktown Heights
Why go: This is the biggest Yorktown Festival and Street Fair. Walk around and meet about 300 vendors on hand, enjoy more than nine musical entertainment acts, shop at the Farmers' Market and check out the antique car and motorcycle show. There will be plenty of kids' rides and dance demonstrations as well as multiple choices at the food court. More than 15,000 people are expected to attend.

Muscoot Farm Pumpkin Pickin'
When/Where: Muscoot Farm, Oct. 7 & 8 (Columbus Day Weekend)
Why go: Families are invited to come and pick the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween, or to use as a fall decoration.
Pricing: Participants have a choice of taking a hayride out back to our pumpkin patch for a small fee of $2 per person, or walking down to our vegetable garden and picking their pumpkin there. The cost of the pumpkins varies, depending on their size.

Westchester Oratorio Society 'Sweet Sixteen'

When/Where: Sunday, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m., St. Matthew's Church in Bedford

Why go: This informal fundraiser—its sixth under the baton of Benjamin Niemczyk—includes an afternoon of music and food in an elegant setting. Composer John Alan Rose and his wife, soprano Sing Rose, will be performing selections from Mozart, Liszt and Debussy, as well as previewing an aria from Rose’s new family opera “Rumpelstiltskin,” which will be premiered the following week by the Empire Opera Company at the new National Opera  Center America, in Manhattan.

Pricing: Admission for the event is $40.  For reservations call, email or visit the group’s web site at http://­www.­westche­steroratorio.­org

Oktoberfest comes to Kingsland Point Park
When/Where: Saturday, Oct. 6 from 2 to 6 p.m. Bridge View Tavern in Sleepy Hollow
Why Go: The village's first ever Oktoberfest celebration for all ages features hayrides (fun for kids, not scary), hot cider, German food, music, and of course beer... Finally, there will be tours of the bathhouse, explain its history and renovation, starting at 1:30 p.m. Oktoberfest is traditionally celebrated for 16 days, and this year the fun goes from Sept. 22—Oct. 7. It is one of the most spirited celebrations in Germany, and is a huge part of Bavarian culture.
Price: Admission and parking is free. Food and drink for sale.

Lyndhurst After Dark
When/Where: Lyndhurst Mansion, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown.
Who Go: Ghosts? Vampires? Who knows what modern visitors may discover in the flickering shadows and evocative sounds of Lyndhurst After Dark. Visit Tarrytown's historic estate at night for special spooky tours, beginning now and continuing throughout the month. Costumes are encouraged. For the complete schedule, and to purchase tickets  www.showclix.com/event/afterdark. (Night, daytime tours with a "Halloween twist" are also available.)
Price: $25

Halloween Costume Swap
Where/When: Memorial Plaza Gazebo in Pleasantville on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8:30 a.m.
Why go: Go green this Halloween with PleasantvilleRecycles' first costume swap. Bring along gently used costumes to trade in for different ones and save some cash this Halloween. You can also donate Halloween decorations and other holiday paraphernalia in good condition. All leftovers from the swap will be donated to charity.
Pricing: Free

Horseman's Hollow
Where/When: Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow on Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7
Why go: Kick of Halloween early by getting spooked at Philipsburg Manor's Horseman's Hollow attraction—featuring a haunted walking trail filled with terrifying scenes, live actors and the Headless Horseman himself. Not recommended for young children. Tickets must be purchased in advance: http://­www.­hudso­nvalley.­org.
Pricing: $20 or $25 on Saturdays

Footsteps for Families Walkathon
Where/When: Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley in Valhalla on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 9 a.m.
Why go: The 2nd Annual Footsteps for Families Walkathon will be held on Sunday, Oct. 7th is being held at the Ronald McDonald House's Valhalla campus as a fundraiser. Registration is from 9 to 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Family-friendly activities will continue until 1 p.m. There will be free t-shirts for those who register in advance. No pets allowed. Children 12 and under can take part for free.
Pricing: $10 in advance; $15 day of walk