On Sunday, October 17th, the Scarsdale Business Alliance organized a Halloween parade from 12 pm to 2 pm accompanied by a farmer’s market and food drive from 9 am to 2 pm. Residents and pets were encouraged to dress in themed costumes near Chase Park, such as police officers, donuts, and even hotdogs. Later, the costumes were judged by the mayor of Scarsdale, Justin Arest, who announced the top three best and cutest dog costumes.

Before the parade, the participants and their dogs assembled on Chase Road while families and other spectators gathered at a nearby lawn. Spectators took pictures with the dogs and conversed with participants. Many participants took the chance to show off their creativity and Halloween spirit. “I thought the costumes were great and I was pleasantly surprised that the dogs kept their costumes on for so long,” Mayor Arest stated.

After the parade, first place was given to the Queen Corgi costume, second place was given to the Snow White costume, and third place was given to the pug rocket ship costume. “I always enjoy community events that bring so many Scarsdale residents together. I hope this will become an annual event,” Arest explained.

The village also hosted a farmer’s market with a live music performance starring Cristina Franciosa, who has performed at previous events in the village. The market was organized by Down to Earth, a local initiative focused on connecting local farms and food businesses to local consumers. Canopy tents lined up near Spencer Place, where vendors sold a variety of artisanal goods ranging from hummus to homemade cookies.

Many of these businesses were based outside of Scarsdale. “Our business is in the Lower East Side, though we try to be everywhere. We have had stands here, in White Plains, and in Ossining,” Tate Rench, the vendor of gourmet hummus shop Bonnes Saveurs, said.

In addition, many food vendors try to source their ingredients locally. “Our business is based in Armonk, but we source our sugar flour and eggs from farms in Westchester,” Alex Andrews, owner of bakery It Must Have Been the Bake, commented.

A food drive was also arranged to raise donations for Feeding Westchester. The drive encouraged students and community members to contribute and give back to their community, uniting everyone in support of local families facing food insecurity.

Ultimately, the event helped foster a sense of community among residents. It offered an opportunity for many to escape their day-to-day lives and bond with strangers while enjoying the festivities of autumn. “Some people come to buy things, but others also come here to talk, so I try to be friendly and talk with people,” Rench said.

Scarsdale’s Halloween parade represented a way for people to celebrate community and creativity, where adults, children, and pets alike embraced the autumn spirit. But for many, the event was more than just a Halloween celebration—it was a reminder of the strength of Scarsdale’s community. As Andrews sold cookies in the cold weather, her goal was simple: to “share cookies and smiles” with everyone.