OK, I may have gone a little crazy with the events this weekend. Hey, I’m just giving all of you options. I don’t want to hear any complaining that there’s nothing to do in Syracuse.
I’ve loaded up the list with Halloween-themed events, some scary and some are lighthearted. There is the Autumnal Fairy Festival at Baltimore Woods.
For those who prefer staying indoors, there are a couple craft shows at the State Fairgrounds, and there are two film festivals: Syracuse’s International Film Festival and Rochester’s LGBT Film Festival. For those who prefer the stage: Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” kicks off tonight, and “Little Shop of Horrors” begins tomorrow night.
If you enjoy being spoken to: Sean Kirst is speaking in Strathmore, and John Lovitz is appearing at Syracuse Funny Bone.
The Syracuse Crunch‘s season begins as well (just in time for the “chance of snow”).
Variety is the spice of life. Central New York has it.
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Carousel Center Turns 25
Old habits are hard to break, so Destiny USA will always have to cope with being called Carousel Center. There will also a be a “Throwback Thursday” contest via social media. To celebrate, free carousel rides will be free until Sunday, Oct. 18.
Where: Destiny USA, Syracuse
When: Thursday, Oct. 15
Cost: Free
Country Folk Art Craft Show
Exhibitors and artisans from across the United States present a variety of handcrafted goods: food, jewelry, furniture, photographs and more.
Where: Horticulture Building, New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Friday, Oct. 16: 5-9 p.m. | Saturday, Oct. 17 – Sunday, Oct. 18: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $7 (weekend pass) | Free (12 and under)
Empire State Marathon
If you’re looking to register for the race, you’ll have to do so day-of the event, which begins and ends at NBT Stadium. Be sure to give it your best — cheering and running. This is a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Where: NBT Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Dr., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Oct. 18 | 7:30 a.m. (full & relay); 7:45 a.m. (half)
Cost: $130 (full) | $110 (half) | $90 (relay, per person)
Jon Lovitz
No, Jon Lovitz is not dead. In fact, he’s coming to Syracuse Funny Bone this weekend. The comic continues his long career after his time appearing in a variety of movies, on Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons episodes, and his own animated show: The Critic.
Thursday, Oct. 15: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17: 7 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, Oct. 17: 9:30 p.m.
Where: Syracuse Funny Bone, Destiny USA, Syracuse
When: Thursday, Oct. 15 – Saturday, Oct. 17
Cost: $30
“Little Shop of Horrors”
Too bad Seymour didn’t have such a green thumb. He would have saved himself all the trouble off having to keep feeding his unique plant, Audrey II blood. Come check out the comedic musical playing at The Central New York Playhouse, starting tomorrow and playing through Halloween.
Where: The Central New York Playhouse, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 8 p.m. | Sundays: 2 p.m.
Cost: $25 (Friday and Saturday shows) | $22 (Thursday and Sunday shows)
Nancy Kerrigan’s ‘Halloween on Ice’
Kerrigan and her skating champion cohorts — Nicole Bobek, Kurt Browning, Alissa Czisny, Jozef Sabovcik, and Johnny Weir — are coming to Syracuse on a 15-stop tour.
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Oct. 15: 7 p.m.
Cost: $25-$85 |$75 (meet-and-greet tickets)
Punkin Chunkin
It’s fun to say. It’s fun to do. How far can you chunk a punk? Before there is any Seussian segue, the 4th Annual celebration kicks off with a farmer’s market, includes youth (11:30 a.m.) and adult (1:30p.m.) pumpkin launching competitions, pumpkin carving contests and much more in terms of food and entertainment.
Where: Frink Park, 300 Riverside Dr., Clayton
When: Saturday, Oct. 17: 10 a.m.
Cost: Free; nonperishable donations are required and encouraged
Salt City Autumn Antiques Show
More than 250 vendors present collections and offer consultations about the historic art.
Where: Center of Progress Building, New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Oct. 17: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sunday, Oct. 18: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $8 (weekend pass) | $7 (daily) | Free (12 and under)
Strathmore Speaker Series: Sean Kirst
Sean Kirst, who recently announced his upcoming departure from The Post-Standard/Syracuse Media Group, will be making an appearance at the Strathmore Speaker Series. The award-winning journalist will present his “Syracuse: What I Loved, Why I Stayed, What Still Drives Me Wild.”
Where: The Firebarn in Onondaga Park, 500 Summit Ave.,
When: Sunday, Oct. 18: 2-4 p.m.
Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated
Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse Crunch welcomes the Binghamton Senators to the War Memorial this weekend. Break out your jerseys and dust off your cowbells. Time to make some noise. An outdoor party will begin at the Everson Museum of Art’s plaza from 5-7 p.m. Tickets available online or at the box office: (315) 473-4444.
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Oct. 17: 7 p.m.
Cost: $16 – $20
Fright Nights at the Fair
All throughout October, head to the New York State Fairgrounds to have the living daylights scared out of you. Venture through the house filled with zombies, animals and other horror movie monsters; dare to tussle with a giant; watch your back for the flying monkeys of Grroz; and maybe barter with Letherface. (If it were me, I’d stay very far away from the clown prison. But the curiosity is still there…)
Where: New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17: 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. | Sunday, Oct. 18: 7-11 p.m.
Cost: $10 (house ticket) | $20 (combo ticket, all attractions)
Frightmare Farms
Choose your adventure: Professor Whitaker Estate Tour, The Condemned Mine Trail, Professor’s Labyrinth… Or take a three part adventure. The acclaimed Frightmare Farms is sure to please.
Where: Frightmare Farms, 4816 Rt. 49, Palermo
When: Fridays and Saturdays in October (closed Halloween): 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $35 (VIP Pass, skip the lines) | $13 (each), $6 (for each additional)
Halloweekends at Sylvan Beach
There are six attractions that will test your tolerance: Zombie Race, Children of the Maize, Bloodbath Haunted House, Spirit Stone Manor, and the Sylvan Beach Scream Park.
Where: Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, 112 Bridge St., Sylvan Beach
When: Fridays and Saturdays in October (closed Halloween): 7-11 p.m.
Cost: $31.99 (Ultimate Mega Pass) | $26.99 / $99 (Haunted House Mega Pass single/family) | $14.99 (Unlimited Ride Band) | $9.99 (Blood Bath) | $6.99 (Scream Land) | $9.99 (Children of the Maize) | $4.99 (Spirit Stone Manor)
Haunted Paddock Arcade
These two weekend-filled fright nights will include great fun for families, including a variety of attactions and personalities.
Where: Downtown Watertown
When: Fridays, Oct. 16 & 23: 6-9 p.m. | Saturdays, Oct. 17 & 24: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: $5
Howe Caverns Haunted Tours
What’s scarier: Roaming the tight spaces or ghost stories? With both, this a new attraction to the upstate caverns should be enchanting. There are only two tours per evening, so reservations are necessary. Call: (518) 296-8900
Where: Howe Caverns, 255 Discovery Dr., Howes Cave
When: Saturdays, Oct. 17 & 24: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $45 (per person)
“Lizzie Borden Took an Axe”
The Covey Theatre Company’s tale of murder returns to the historic mansion on James St. for six evenings and two Saturday matinees this month. Unfortunately, it’s the last performance the company will put on.
The matinees include a member-only talk with the director and cast. Last year’s performances sold out. This year’s shows are very close to doing the same. Call ahead: (315) 420-3729.
Where: The Barnes Hiscock Mansion, 930 James St., Syracuse
When: Thursdays Oct. 15, 22, 29: 8 p.m. | Fridays, Oct. 16, 23, 30: 8 p.m. | Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24: 2 p.m.
Cost: $25 (available at website, includes $5 donation to The George & Rebecca Barnes Foundation)
Zoo Boo
Stop down for the “kooky, not spooky” daytime Halloween-themed extravaganza. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each of the four days, children dressed up in-costume participate in trick-or-treat and a variety of other activities that include ace painting, animal encounters and demonstrations, raffles and more.
Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, One Conservation Place, Syracuse
When: Saturdays, Oct. 17 & 24 | Sundays, Oct. 18 & 25
Cost: $8 (per child) plus zoo admission
Syracuse International Film Festival
The 12th Annual five-day film festival keeps getting bigger and better. To explore film, patrons must explore Central New York and its venues. To purchase tickets, click here.
Where: Venues across Central New York
When: Thursday, Oct. 15 – Sunday, Oct. 18
Cost: Weekend Only: $50 (Single), $90 (Couple) | Films Only: $75, $125 | Full Festival: $125, $200
I’ve loaded up the list with Halloween-themed events, some scary and some are lighthearted. There is the Autumnal Fairy Festival at Baltimore Woods.
For those who prefer staying indoors, there are a couple craft shows at the State Fairgrounds, and there are two film festivals: Syracuse’s International Film Festival and Rochester’s LGBT Film Festival. For those who prefer the stage: Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” kicks off tonight, and “Little Shop of Horrors” begins tomorrow night.
If you enjoy being spoken to: Sean Kirst is speaking in Strathmore, and John Lovitz is appearing at Syracuse Funny Bone.
The Syracuse Crunch‘s season begins as well (just in time for the “chance of snow”).
Variety is the spice of life. Central New York has it.
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Weather Forecast
(Subject to change, of course.) THURSDAY Temperature: 63 degrees / 48 degrees Conditions: Raindrops… FRIDAY Temperature: 57 degrees / 38 degrees Conditions: …keep falling on my head. SATURDAY Temperature: 46 degrees / 32 degrees Conditions: Partly sunny skies lead to rain. SUNDAY Temperature: 43 degrees / 30 degrees Conditions: SNOW?!?This weekend…
Carousel Center Turns 25
Old habits are hard to break, so Destiny USA will always have to cope with being called Carousel Center. There will also a be a “Throwback Thursday” contest via social media. To celebrate, free carousel rides will be free until Sunday, Oct. 18.
Where: Destiny USA, Syracuse
When: Thursday, Oct. 15
Cost: Free
Country Folk Art Craft Show
Exhibitors and artisans from across the United States present a variety of handcrafted goods: food, jewelry, furniture, photographs and more.
Where: Horticulture Building, New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Friday, Oct. 16: 5-9 p.m. | Saturday, Oct. 17 – Sunday, Oct. 18: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $7 (weekend pass) | Free (12 and under)
Empire State Marathon
If you’re looking to register for the race, you’ll have to do so day-of the event, which begins and ends at NBT Stadium. Be sure to give it your best — cheering and running. This is a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Where: NBT Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Dr., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Oct. 18 | 7:30 a.m. (full & relay); 7:45 a.m. (half)
Cost: $130 (full) | $110 (half) | $90 (relay, per person)
Jon Lovitz
No, Jon Lovitz is not dead. In fact, he’s coming to Syracuse Funny Bone this weekend. The comic continues his long career after his time appearing in a variety of movies, on Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons episodes, and his own animated show: The Critic.
Thursday, Oct. 15: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17: 7 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, Oct. 17: 9:30 p.m.
Where: Syracuse Funny Bone, Destiny USA, Syracuse
When: Thursday, Oct. 15 – Saturday, Oct. 17
Cost: $30
“Little Shop of Horrors”
Too bad Seymour didn’t have such a green thumb. He would have saved himself all the trouble off having to keep feeding his unique plant, Audrey II blood. Come check out the comedic musical playing at The Central New York Playhouse, starting tomorrow and playing through Halloween.
Where: The Central New York Playhouse, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 8 p.m. | Sundays: 2 p.m.
Cost: $25 (Friday and Saturday shows) | $22 (Thursday and Sunday shows)
Nancy Kerrigan’s ‘Halloween on Ice’
Kerrigan and her skating champion cohorts — Nicole Bobek, Kurt Browning, Alissa Czisny, Jozef Sabovcik, and Johnny Weir — are coming to Syracuse on a 15-stop tour.
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Oct. 15: 7 p.m.
Cost: $25-$85 |$75 (meet-and-greet tickets)
Punkin Chunkin
It’s fun to say. It’s fun to do. How far can you chunk a punk? Before there is any Seussian segue, the 4th Annual celebration kicks off with a farmer’s market, includes youth (11:30 a.m.) and adult (1:30p.m.) pumpkin launching competitions, pumpkin carving contests and much more in terms of food and entertainment.
Where: Frink Park, 300 Riverside Dr., Clayton
When: Saturday, Oct. 17: 10 a.m.
Cost: Free; nonperishable donations are required and encouraged
Salt City Autumn Antiques Show
More than 250 vendors present collections and offer consultations about the historic art.
Where: Center of Progress Building, New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Oct. 17: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sunday, Oct. 18: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $8 (weekend pass) | $7 (daily) | Free (12 and under)
Strathmore Speaker Series: Sean Kirst
Sean Kirst, who recently announced his upcoming departure from The Post-Standard/Syracuse Media Group, will be making an appearance at the Strathmore Speaker Series. The award-winning journalist will present his “Syracuse: What I Loved, Why I Stayed, What Still Drives Me Wild.”
Where: The Firebarn in Onondaga Park, 500 Summit Ave.,
When: Sunday, Oct. 18: 2-4 p.m.
Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated
Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse Crunch welcomes the Binghamton Senators to the War Memorial this weekend. Break out your jerseys and dust off your cowbells. Time to make some noise. An outdoor party will begin at the Everson Museum of Art’s plaza from 5-7 p.m. Tickets available online or at the box office: (315) 473-4444.
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Oct. 17: 7 p.m.
Cost: $16 – $20
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Looking for a scary good time?
Cato Industrial Warehouse of Horror Find out what goes bump in the night, in Utica. If you dare, venture into the Warehouse of Biotech, Warehouse of Archana, Warehouse of Biowar or Warehouse of Revelation. Where: Cato Industrial Warehouse, 811 Broad St., Utica When: Thursday, Oct. 29 | Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October (closed Halloween): 6:30-10:30 p.m. Cost: $30 (buy three, get one free) | $10 (per attraction)
Fright Nights at the Fair
All throughout October, head to the New York State Fairgrounds to have the living daylights scared out of you. Venture through the house filled with zombies, animals and other horror movie monsters; dare to tussle with a giant; watch your back for the flying monkeys of Grroz; and maybe barter with Letherface. (If it were me, I’d stay very far away from the clown prison. But the curiosity is still there…)
Where: New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17: 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. | Sunday, Oct. 18: 7-11 p.m.
Cost: $10 (house ticket) | $20 (combo ticket, all attractions)
Frightmare Farms
Choose your adventure: Professor Whitaker Estate Tour, The Condemned Mine Trail, Professor’s Labyrinth… Or take a three part adventure. The acclaimed Frightmare Farms is sure to please.
Where: Frightmare Farms, 4816 Rt. 49, Palermo
When: Fridays and Saturdays in October (closed Halloween): 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $35 (VIP Pass, skip the lines) | $13 (each), $6 (for each additional)
Halloweekends at Sylvan Beach
There are six attractions that will test your tolerance: Zombie Race, Children of the Maize, Bloodbath Haunted House, Spirit Stone Manor, and the Sylvan Beach Scream Park.
Where: Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, 112 Bridge St., Sylvan Beach
When: Fridays and Saturdays in October (closed Halloween): 7-11 p.m.
Cost: $31.99 (Ultimate Mega Pass) | $26.99 / $99 (Haunted House Mega Pass single/family) | $14.99 (Unlimited Ride Band) | $9.99 (Blood Bath) | $6.99 (Scream Land) | $9.99 (Children of the Maize) | $4.99 (Spirit Stone Manor)
Haunted Paddock Arcade
These two weekend-filled fright nights will include great fun for families, including a variety of attactions and personalities.
Where: Downtown Watertown
When: Fridays, Oct. 16 & 23: 6-9 p.m. | Saturdays, Oct. 17 & 24: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: $5
Howe Caverns Haunted Tours
What’s scarier: Roaming the tight spaces or ghost stories? With both, this a new attraction to the upstate caverns should be enchanting. There are only two tours per evening, so reservations are necessary. Call: (518) 296-8900
Where: Howe Caverns, 255 Discovery Dr., Howes Cave
When: Saturdays, Oct. 17 & 24: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $45 (per person)
“Lizzie Borden Took an Axe”
The Covey Theatre Company’s tale of murder returns to the historic mansion on James St. for six evenings and two Saturday matinees this month. Unfortunately, it’s the last performance the company will put on.
The matinees include a member-only talk with the director and cast. Last year’s performances sold out. This year’s shows are very close to doing the same. Call ahead: (315) 420-3729.
Where: The Barnes Hiscock Mansion, 930 James St., Syracuse
When: Thursdays Oct. 15, 22, 29: 8 p.m. | Fridays, Oct. 16, 23, 30: 8 p.m. | Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24: 2 p.m.
Cost: $25 (available at website, includes $5 donation to The George & Rebecca Barnes Foundation)
Zoo Boo
Stop down for the “kooky, not spooky” daytime Halloween-themed extravaganza. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each of the four days, children dressed up in-costume participate in trick-or-treat and a variety of other activities that include ace painting, animal encounters and demonstrations, raffles and more.
Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, One Conservation Place, Syracuse
When: Saturdays, Oct. 17 & 24 | Sundays, Oct. 18 & 25
Cost: $8 (per child) plus zoo admission
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The festivals continue…
Autumnal Fairy Festival All are invited to meet fairies, trolls and other creatures that can be seen and heard throughout the woods. Come meet the Fairy Queen and explore the nature center’s enchanted trails. Where: Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus When: Saturday, Oct, 17: 12-4 p.m. Cost: $10 (members) | $15 (non-members) Fall Harvest Celebration The annual Critz Farms autumn celebration continues until the end of October, and offers plenty of daily activities. There is an animal care area, pick your own pumpkins and apples, a cow train ride for kids, and plenty more. This year, the local grower has collaborated with Rosamond Gifford Zoo to raise awareness for the efforts of the organization. The eight-acre corn maze this year is “The Giant Zoo-Tastic Octopus’s Garden Corn Maze,” is featured on Critz’s website. For full details, please click the link above. Where: Critz Farms, 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia When: Saturday, Oct. 17 – Sunday, Oct. 25 Cost: $30 (per car — more if non-family members are in the car) | 7.50 (adults, weekends) | $5 (seniors) Hunter Mountain Oktoberfest It’s the fourth and last weekend of this uber celebration. New York is decked out in its finest attire, so you can make the most of your weekend hiking and exploring the Catskills on top of attending the German-esque celebration. Where: Hunter Mountain, 64 Klein Ave., Hunter When: Saturday, Oct. 17 – Sunday, Oct. 18 Cost: Free Admission (Beer, brats and other fare are not) Image Out: The Rochester LGBT Film Festival The festival is not only celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court’s legalizing same-sex marriage, but it continues to present LGBT art and culture through film and other creative mediums to promote awareness and generate conversation all for strengthening a community. The festival wraps up this weekend. Check the website for venues, scheduling and pricing. Where: Rochester (follow the link for theaters) When: Thursday, Oct. 15 – Sunday , Oct. 18 (follow the link for scheduling) Cost: Varies (follow the link)Syracuse International Film Festival
The 12th Annual five-day film festival keeps getting bigger and better. To explore film, patrons must explore Central New York and its venues. To purchase tickets, click here.
Where: Venues across Central New York
When: Thursday, Oct. 15 – Sunday, Oct. 18
Cost: Weekend Only: $50 (Single), $90 (Couple) | Films Only: $75, $125 | Full Festival: $125, $200
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