Families in Rye have a new Halloween tradition headed their way. Westchester County Parks will hold its first-ever Spooktacular Oktoberfest at Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18.

The two-day festival runs from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day at the sanctuary on Playland Parkway. Admission is $25 per person. Children 3 and younger get in free. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Activities include trick-or-treating through the sanctuary's bamboo forest, hayrides, a haunted house, pumpkin painting, s'mores and a bounce house. The Nature Company will bring live animals. Food and beverage vendors will be on site, and kids are encouraged to show up in their Halloween costumes.

Live music comes from The Saddle Ridge Ramblers and singer-songwriter Mani Cregan.

Westchester County Parks described the event as its first Halloween celebration at the Read Sanctuary, according to the county's event listing. The sanctuary's trails along Long Island Sound will also be open for hiking during the festival.

County Executive Ken Jenkins said in a September press release that the event is designed to give families a full afternoon outdoors, combining Halloween activities with the sanctuary's natural setting. Acting Parks Commissioner William Bland said the sanctuary's miles of trails and views of Long Island Sound make it a fitting backdrop for a fall festival.

"The Spooktacular Oktoberfest gives visitors even more reasons to explore it," Bland said in the release.

The 179-acre sanctuary sits at 1 Playland Parkway, just past the amusement park. Parking is in Playland's lot. The event runs rain or shine.

For more information, call the sanctuary at (914) 967-8720.

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