Trick-or-treating in New Paltz impacted by parade, Haunted Hasbrouck

An ongoing survey of New Paltz residents suggests that the need to buy candy varies widely depending on which part of town you live in.

Survey respondents living on the Flats don't give out candy nearly half of the time, according to the preliminary findings, and don't expect more than 25 costumed visitors regardless.  Those living downtown and north of Main Street are preparing for up to 50 trick-or-treaters, while the downtown residents south of Main are bracing for up to two hundred knocks on the door Halloween night.

No uptown residents have yet responded to the survey.

Prior to its closing, the Guenther haunted house had thousands of visitors, and neighbors on Center Street were reported to spend hundreds of dollars each year on candy.  As Ann Guenther confirmed, the neighborhood was already popular due to its proximity to the end of the New Paltz Halloween parade, and the Guenther's event concentrated trick-or-treaters in the area.  The Guenther house has since become Haunted Hasbrouck, which continues to concentrate trick-or-treating downtown and south of Main Street.  Since roaming bands of Halloween teens report that they don't wish to get innocent victims in the crossfire, they will probably be found in other parts of town.