While canvassing the outside of 1101 Garden St., where a massive spider scales a rope web, one passerby couldn’t help chime in.
“He’s not done by a mile…come back in a week. Steven [Vizena’s] installations are incredible.”
Last year, Vizena exhibited “cloud zombies” which are exactly like they sound – undead dummies dangling from puffy white clouds. Fans of the zombies won’t go completely remiss this year.
“I’ll be adding two ‘cloud zombies’ caught up and consumed in the web with the spider streaming their brains out, later on,” Vizena said later. “I hope to have it finished by the evening [of Oct. 14].”
Vizena, a local artist, dabbles in various art forms including glass work, painting, and digital print. His partner, Paul Stylianou, says every year they get “carried away” about the holiday.
“Besides the installations, we go through hundreds of dollars in candy,” Stylianou said. “This whole neighborhood of about six to nine square blocks turns into a sort of Halloween Central. People come in packs.”
“This whole neighborhood of about six to nine square blocks turns into a sort of ‘Halloween Central.’” – Paul Stylianou
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“As a visual artist I try to get people to focus on the here and now, connecting to the environment and people around them,” said Vizena.
Besides filling their bags on Halloween, which falls on a Saturday this year, locals have other events they can attend to celebrate the holiday.
‘Spine tingling storytelling’ at the library
The Hoboken Public Library has already kicked off their Halloween celebration with spooky story readings.
On Monday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. they will host a discussion of Ira Levin’s classic Horror novel “Rosemary’s Baby.” A screening of the film will take place at 4 p.m. prior to the discussion.
A discussion of Paul Tremblay’s new novel, “A Head Full of Ghosts” will be held Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Actress and award-winning Gothic novelist Leanna Renee Hieber will present “spine tingling true local stories” on Oct. 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The four-time Prism award winner and New York City-native works as a ghost tour guide and has appeared in television show such as Boardwalk Empire. The program will include a Q&A about the paranormal and writing process, as well as a book-signing of her latest novel, “The Eterna Files.”
The library will also host pumpkin painting on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. and arts and crafts on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4:30 p.m. Email hplwriters@gmail.com or visit http://hoboken.bccls.org for details.
Halloween 5K for homeless shelter, and Scary Scurry Kid’s Run
On Halloween morning, the annual Hoboken Halloween 5K and Scary Scurry Kids’ Run will be held at Pier A Park.
Organizers said in a release that the USATF-certified 5K race will feature awards for male and female winners, age group winners and prizes for the best adult costumes.”
The run on Saturday, Oct. 31, which will run along the Hoboken waterfront, will benefit the Hoboken homeless shelter.
The registration fee is $35 and there is a maximum of runners allowed to run. The 5K begins at 10 a.m., the kid’s run at 11 a.m. and the costume and race awards ceremony at 11:15 a.m.
An after-party will also be held at the Wicked Wolf Tavern across the street from Pier A.
Ragamuffin Parade and Costume Contest
The annual Ragamuffin Parade and Costume Contest will be held on Saturday Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. featuring a parade, local live music, floats, and a costume contest.
The parade will line up at Washington Street between 13th and 14th streets at 12:15 p.m. and begins at 1 p.m.
A costume contest will begin at 2 p.m. after the parade at the baseball field at Fifth Street and River Terrace. Prizes are available in five age categories with MC Polka Dot hosting the event.
Following the parade, trick-or-treaters traditionally begin their candy quest at local businesses and houses. Everyone is encouraged to wear their Halloween best.
Also, earlier this weekend (Saturday, Oct. 17), the city is held a Harvest Festival with hayrides, horse carriage rides and pumpkin carving.
Want a chance to have your Halloween decorations featured online? Send a photo (limited to one per person) of your best Halloween decoration to srodas@hudsonreporter.com as an attached JPEG file with a description.
Steven Rodas can be reached at srodas@hudsonreporter.com.