Dear EscapeMakers -- We're producing the first annual "Pooches & Pumpkins," a socially distanced Halloween farm event for the whole family and their canines. It kicks off on Saturday, October 24th from 11am-5pm, at Stone Ridge Orchard - just two hours north of New York City in the Hudson Valley.

Attendees are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes for the festivities, which will include socially distanced blanket bingo, pumpkin painting, and a pumpkin patch, pet and kid’s costume contests, pet photos, visit with the ducks and “Balki” the pig and a trackless train ride for the kids on an adorable vintage mini locomotive.

Visitors can hike up to the majestic 300-year old oak tree high atop the sprawling 115-acre farm with a view of the Hudson Valley and the Catskills and breathe in the fresh fall air, or relax in their 10-ft spaced field pods near the farmhouse to enjoy lunch or dinner.

As a special treat, costumed characters and beloved children's iconic literary characters "Llama Llama,""Curious George," and the "Wild Thing" from Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" will be on stage for kid's storytime and a safely distanced "meet & greet" with photo opportunities.

Additionally, there will be a day-long demonstration from Canal Forge Blacksmiths of High Falls and Ulster County SPCA will be holding a dog adoption event to benefit the shelter.

Food and beverages for sale include wood-fired farm ingredient pizza, plus cider, cider donuts, apples, apple pies, and tarts from the adjacent farm market. Pending availability and weather conditions, apple picking may still be possible at the time of the event.

"We are ecstatic to be hosting Pooches & Pumpkins after two successful events on the farm last month," says Elizabeth Ryan, renowned fruit grower and cider maker and owner of Stone Ridge Orchard. "We've found that locals and city dwellers alike are eager for safe and socially distanced experiences that celebrate the magic of fall in the Hudson Valley."

To maintain Covid-19 regulations, the orchard limits tickets, and social distancing and mask wearing will be required and enforced. Prohibition Distillery will provide hand sanitizer stations, and additional PPE will be available for anyone that needs it. When purchasing tickets online, all attendees must sign the health affidavit to gain admittance into the event to allow contact tracing.