Events for kids, adults bringing Halloween early to New Kensington

Halloween is coming early to New Kensington, with events and activities for kids and grownups planned this weekend in the city.

It starts with “Tricky Trek N Treat,” a new event, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

About 40 downtown businesses on Fourth and Fifth avenues will participate in a kids’ trick-or-treat, with many businesses having specials, according to Michelle Thom, operations manager for Olde Towne Overhaul and Voodoo Brewery in New Kensington.

Participating businesses will be identified by a pumpkin on their door or window, she said. Children will be able to get treat bags at a pumpkin patch outside Voodoo on Fifth Avenue.

At Voodoo, the New Kensington Arts Center will present activities including face and pumpkin painting, coloring sheets and photos.

A costume contest will be held around 2:15 p.m. at Voodoo, where there will also be a vendor fair and a Halloween movie playing during the event.

Voodoo will host a Halloween party from 6 to 11 that night.

‘Boos & Brews’

Also that night, a bar crawl, “Boos & Brews,” will be held from 7 to 11. Participating bars are The Beermuda, House of 1000 Beers, Hanes Tavern, Wildlife Lanes, Voodoo and Strange Roots.

A first for Halloween, the crawl is following one that was held for St. Patrick’s Day this year and was a success, said Tara Salem, an organizer who does marketing for Beermuda.

Presale tickets include bus transportation between the bars, Halloween swag, drink specials and entertainment. A free ticket will be offered for designated drivers.

Participants will be able to select which bar they go to, so not everyone will be at one bar at one time, which Salem said should help control crowds.

Tickets cost $15 and are available at the participating bars. A portion of tickets sales will benefit Zen Cat Sanctuary and Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley.

‘Sweet Horror’

On Sunday, “Sweet Horror,” featuring sweet and savory vegan food and horror/macabre inspired art, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at Voodoo.

Jamie Parker, owner of Sweet Alchemy Bake Shop in New Kensington, said the event was held at East End Brewing when it was started in 2017. It was not held from 2019 through 2021, and returned in February at Voodoo, making this the second time it will be held there.

“Sweet Horror” will feature four vegan food vendors, including Sweet Alchemy, Yumzio Bistro from Greensburg, Babcias Lunchbox from Ohio and Veggies N’At from Pittsburgh.

Artists will include Jenni Bee Art, The Rots, Drunk Dino Designs, and The Vegan Goddess.