On Saturday, Oct. 21, Proctors GE Theater was filled to the brim with ghosts and ghouls of every sort for the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation’s (DSIC) Fall Spooktacular.
The event brought a fun and unique experience to members of the community. Returning for its second year since the pandemic, the Spooktacular provided an array of fun, fright, and excitement for attendees young and old. Originally planned for outside in front of Schenectady City Hall, the dreary October weather forced everything indoors at Proctors. That didn’t stop the fun as residents arrived in droves to enjoy all the event had to offer.
From bouncy houses to vendors galore, to live bands and hay rides, Spooktacular showcased a brilliant example of fun and spooky creativity. Schenectadians arrived in their best costumes, exploring all that Spooktacular had to offer with smiles and laughs.
“It’s kind of like an autumn-themed kids arts festival,” exclaimed Betsy Sandberg, the Chair of Schenectady Kids Arts Festival.
Vendors such as the Schenectady ARC Horticulture Center at Maple Ridge were tabling, with their products being sold to match the theme of Halloween!
The event was designed to give families the opportunity to have fun and get kids out of their homes to learn different fun activities. There was a percussion station for kids to learn drums, coloring, and other craft stations for entertainment as well.
“It was a way to get kids out and to do things they don’t normally do during the school year,” Sandberg added.
DSIC’s interim Executive Director, Carney McGuire was on hand to make sure everything ran smoothly.
“We decided three days before to bring it inside and Proctors complied without a hitch,” said McGuire. “There’s so much going on. You have all these vendors, it’s great exposure for them, my favorite part of the event is the kids and the costumes.”
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara was out enjoying the festivities and shared the joy the event brought him.
“I think it’s a wonderful community event, it brings out the spirit of the season,” Santababara said. “It speaks to the Schenectady community, it’s good to see families, I see people connecting with one another, enjoying what the city has to offer!”
Santabara wasn’t the only adult who let out his inner child during the event, Senator Jim Tedisco even showed up in costume!
For more photos from the event, look through the photo gallery below…
