The “Addams Family” is in town but who is scarier? New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Friday, Oct. 20, the launch of “Halloween at Gracie Mansion 2023,” a two-day celebration that organizers say will transform the outdoor grounds of the mayor’s historic residence into a “haunted” Halloween-themed experience for a group of young New Yorkers.

 

Bronx families are giving the mayor a run for his money however, as evidenced by some of the attached photos taken in the lead-up to the year’s scariest night. [We weren’t fast enough to catch “Chucky,” complete with raised dagger, glued to the top of a cobweb-decro SUV, his flaming red hair trailing after him in the wind as he zoomed down Mosholu Parkway earlier this week.]

 

In addition to Halloween decorations, City officials said the Gracie Mansion event will offer guests the opportunity to trick-or-treat, greet costumed characters, and visit a corn maze and haunted cemetery.

 

Officials from the Adams administration said the mayor has set aside tickets for the event for around 300 families housed by the New York City Department of Homeless Services shelter system as well as asylum seeking families. They said the remaining tickets will be free and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Members of the public can sign up for the ticket giveaway online right now.

 

“I am confident that when we open ‘The People’s House,’ New Yorkers will finally believe me about the ghosts floating around here,” said Adams. “Halloween is a great opportunity for New Yorkers to spend time in their communities, and that’s why we are inviting our city’s residents to celebrate on the haunted – we mean historic – grounds of Gracie Mansion.”

 

The mayor continued, “We’re excited to host New Yorkers for trick-or-treating, exploring our corn maze, and braving our spooky cemetery. And to ensure that all families have a chance to enjoy Halloween, we are saving tickets specifically for families in our shelter system and seeking asylum for a fun evening.”

 

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom, said every child should be able to experience the fun of Halloween. “Halloween should be a fun, family-friendly time for all people,” she said, in part. “With this event, we are making sure it is.”

 

The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Oct. 29, and geared towards children between six and 10 years old, according to City officials. They said Gracie Mansion is expected to welcome between 1,200 and 1,500 guests to its lawn each day to enjoy Halloween festivities, and children are encouraged to wear costumes. They said since launching in 2014, Gracie Mansion’s annual Halloween celebration has welcomed thousands of children for a safe, fun Halloween experience.

New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park said Adams administration officials were aware that children experiencing homelessness endure a unique set of “incredibly challenging circumstances.” She added, in part, “This event will provide them a safe space to simply be children and enjoy all the incredible Halloween activities available at this year’s celebration.”

 

City officials said this year’s Halloween décor and festivities are sponsored by Affinity by Molina Healthcare, Target, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Empire BlueCross BlueShield. They said in-kind support is provided by BLICK art materials, Chobani, Fresh Direct, Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, Nickelodeon, the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Scholastic, 7th Heaven Inc., Sofia and Grace Cookie Company, Utz, Vadilal Quick Treat, Violife, The Vita Coco Company, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

 

Bronxites interested in attending can sign up for the online ticket giveaway here.

 

Be afraid [if you’re not already].

 

Meanwhile, we’ll keep an eye out for Chucky…..