The Irvington Halloween Festival turns 80 this year, making it the same age as the microwave, the bikini and the first round of Baby Boomers. The once-humble street festival now brings up to 80,000 people for a weeklong party in the neighborhood named after Washington Irving, who wrote “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in 1820.
This year, local creatives are doing a side project that pays tribute to Irvington’s literary side at the Backlot, 5635 Bonna Ave. On Oct. 31, “The Witches Cauldron: Library of Legends” will take you through a 3D storybook where you’ll meet costumed actors, solve puzzles and play games. Your job: “Become the hero of your own story and help find the missing librarian to save the day.”
“Everything is thrifted, repurposed or handmade on a shoestring budget by volunteers,” said Amber Houston, one of the artists. “It’s not spooky or Halloween-themed—it’s just a light-hearted gift to the community.”
Collectively, the four artists behind “Library of Legends” — Houston, Marc Ebtinger, Karma Hamm and Christopher Ozminkowski — have quite a resumé of talents: Singing, dancing, writing, set building and even lampshade designing. In other words, with their broad level of imagination, “Library of Legends” isn’t a book that will put you to sleep.
The Witches Cauldron: Library of Legends
- What: An interactive adventure for all ages, but designed for kids 10 and younger.
- When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31.
- Where: Backlot: Makerspace and Venue, 5635 Bonna Ave.
- Cost: $10 suggested donation.
- Advice: “Bring your inner child.”
- More info: Visit their Facebook page.
Question: This is everyone’s second year doing Witches Cauldron. What did last year teach you?
Hamm: “Not all witches are as bad as they seem at first glance. Sometimes they just need a snack and a nap.”
Houston: “Finished is better than perfect.”
Ebtinger: “People of all ages love to do and participate, rather than just watch.”
Ozminkowski: “Invite more people to get involved. So many people are looking for ways to be creative.”
Q: What part of “Library of Legends” did you create that you’re most proud of?
Hamm: “Something out of this world!”
Houston: “Last year I worked on a giant mushroom. It’s returning this season after some repairs.”
Ebtinger: “The light and sound effects.”
Ozminkowski: “I really felt good after creating the footprint stamps … you’ll see when you get there.”
Q: Will you be in costume? What will you wear?
Hamm: “Something blueish.”
Houston: “Yes. I’m not sure of the details yet, but it’ll be comfortable.”
Ebtinger: “Pirate costume.”
Ozminkowski: “I sure will, but can’t reveal that yet.”
Q: What’s your biggest costume fail of all-time?
Hamm: “Trying to eat a slice of pizza with a fake bushy beard for a Bob Ross costume.”
Houston: “The temporary black hair dye I used for a costume wouldn’t wash out, even after paying a professional to chemically remove it.”
Ozminkowski: “In high school, I dressed up as Ed Grimly, the character from ‘SNL.’ In order to get my hair to look like his, I loaded up my hair with Vaseline. I had to go to school with Vaseline in my hair for the next couple days because I could not get it out, no matter how much I washed it.”
Ebtinger: “Doing a quick change in a burlesque show … I put on the wrong costume.”
Q: Since July, you’ve spent a lot of hours on “Library of Legends.” What do you do when you’re not bringing stories to life?
Hamm: “I’m a real estate agent, I make hand-sewn lampshades and I do occasional stage craft work. I’ve also joined the Harmony Collected Community Choir.”
Houston: “I cook, participate in a book club, do yin yoga and recruit friends into the Harmony Collected Community Choir.”
Ebtinger: “I do stagecraft for touring musicals and got very involved with the Backlot. I love to invent, create and get friends to do things together. Also, I am French – I cook.”
Ozminkowski: “Enjoy life.” (He is also the author of a children’s book, “A Tale of Two Doggies.”)
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