Ghosts, goblins and generosity at Smithtown’s Halloween weekend

The Town of Smithtown hosted a festive Halloween weekend bringing families together for costumed fun, games and surprises.

The Halloween celebration kicked off on Saturday, Oct. 19, with the annual Ghosts and Goblins Day at Browns Road Park in Nesconset, drawing more than 250 children and their families for a day of games, pony rides, prizes and more. Many attendees donated food for the Smithtown Food Pantry, receiving raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes while supporting the pantry’s mission to provide residents in need with meals and other essential products.

On Sunday, the celebration continued with Smithtown’s Trunk or Treat event, hosted by the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau. The event attracted over 300 families to enjoy music, games and trick-or-treating from the trunks of more than 25 festively-decorated cars filled with Halloween candy for kids.

Local organizations and businesses, including the Smithtown Animal Shelter and the Smithtown Library, contributed to the weekend’s success. The Smithtown Youth Bureau and Suffolk Girl Scouts Troop 552 distributed more than 130 Halloween costumes to families in need.

“We are so thankful to the community members and town employees who participated,” said Janine Marc-Anthony, executive director of the Youth Bureau, in a statement. “Everyone’s collaboration together added to its success.”