[UPDATE] Irvington, Dobbs Ferry Cancel Halloween

Whacky weather has put a major damper on Halloween for some children in the Rivertowns for the second year in-a-row, as some villages are canceling trick-or-treating due to Hurricane Sandy.

“Additionally, due to safety concerns, we have made the decision to postpone trick or treating and the Fire Department Halloween Block Party for tomorrow,” said Irvington Mayor Brian Smith, in an email blast to the community Tuesday. 

Smith is urging residents to stay refrain from trick-or-treating as there are still downed wires and trees, as well as street lights that are out. Irvington is re-scheduling the block party for Friday, Nov. 2 between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in front of the fire house. The event includes music, candy and other festivities.

Dobbs Ferry is also calling off trick-or-treating in the village—which was originally scheduled for Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. is re-scheduling for Friday, Nov. 2 from 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 

"There are many areas of the village still without power or lighting, makes it even more dangerous at night because you can't see anything," said Dobbs Ferry Mayor Hartley Connett, in an e-mail bloast on Wednesday. "Give the current conditions outside of the village's  control it is simply too dangerous to send your children out tonight. Please make the smart decision in the interests of your family’s safety – and the safety of the village’s emergency responders. Keep your children inside tonight and until the village has advised it is safe."

Dobbs Ferry has re-scheduled its Halloween Parade for Friday, Nov. 2 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Cedar on Cedar and Main Streets. For more information residents can call the Dobbs Ferry Recreation Department at 914-693-0024.

Hastings is remaining “agnostic” when it comes to the holiday. 

“If your kids cannot do without trick or treating, the police request that you accompany your children between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.,” said Hastings-on-Hudson Mayor Peter Swiderski, in an e-mail blast Tuesday evening. "Given the enormity of the storm, parents better set their young charges’ expectations for a less-than-stellar payout at the doors. The optimal solution would be to fill their bag with candy (or, if you must, healthy treats) at home and call it a day.”

Swiderski said he is asking Police Chief David Bloomer to declare a curfew after dark (6:30 p.m. on Wednesday) for anyone under 21. 

“We don’t need that headache tomorrow night,” said Swiderski.

Swiderski did give a stern warning to potential mischief-makers in an earlier e-mail blast on Tuesday.

“Needless to say, if your teenaged charmers are considering misbehaving tomorrow night, our police force is run ragged and not in the best of humor for that sort of behavior,” said Swiderski. “The holding cells are, in fact, powered and empty.” 

Click here for Halloween safety tips from Con Edison.

Other municipalities that are asking residents to stay indoors on Halloween include: Port Chester, Bronxville, Tarrytown, Rye City, Mamaroneck, Pleasantville

Click here for information on Wednesday's Greenburgh’s indoor Halloween event and here for information on the Halloween party at the Science Barge. 

“While Halloween is a night that kids always look forward to, this year it is especially important for parents to exercise extreme caution due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy,” said County Executive Rob Astorino. “Anyone living in neighborhoods where power lines and trees are down and electricity has not been restored should not go out to trick or treat. In places where things have started to return to normal, parents should exercise careful judgment and common sense. Parents should also be guided by any orders or restrictions issued by their local municipalities. The safety of our children and families comes first.”

Have a happy and safe Halloween!!! - with <3 from Rivertowns Patch