On the afternoon of October 26th, the High Line Park in Manhattan hosted its special Halloween event, “Ghostly Gardens,” which attracted many families eager to join in the festivities. The event featured a vibrant mix of musical performances, storytelling sessions, carnival games, and unique seasonal treats, offering participants a joyful experience in a spirited Halloween atmosphere.

This year’s “Ghostly Gardens” continued the tradition of creative Halloween activities at the High Line, providing a rich and diverse experience for visitors of all ages. Attendees could enjoy spooky tales presented by the New York Public Library, partake in Halloween-themed carnival games, and participate in art activities, including face painting to capture memorable holiday moments along with specially designed festive foods.

One of the highlights of the event was the “eerie sculptures” made from the park’s withered plants and discarded flowers, creating a unique and haunting visual experience. A live band also performed, adding to the festive energy in the park. Furthermore, giant puppets designed by Ralph Lee, the puppeteer and founder of the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, were on display, captivating the audience.

Many parents dressed their children in Halloween costumes, from little lions and princes to wizards and superheroes, dancing along to the music. For kids who didn’t have time to get dressed up, the park offered face painting services, allowing them to “transform” on-site in celebration of Halloween.

The joyous atmosphere not only attracted families, but also curious passersby. Two international students, Xia Xu and Xia Lv, shared their experience of stumbling upon the event. “It’s a beautiful sunny day, and since we just finished our mid-term exams, we wanted to relax a bit. Walking down 30th Street, we could hear the music from a distance and were drawn in. We actually decided to enter through the 14th Street entrance just to be part of the celebration,” they said.

The “Ghostly Gardens” event was curated by Greg Corbino, an artist and educator at the High Line, who previously garnered acclaim for his creative design of the “Spooktacular” Halloween events at the Queens Museum from 2015 to 2020. His expertise contributed to making this year’s celebration a memorable occasion for all who attended.