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Oddities for your Halloween!

The Largest Halloween Oddities Show on the East Coast

We have a goal of being the greatest Halloween Oddities Show in the world! (I mean, how many October oddities events have their own giant Steampunk robot?)

But what would the ‘greatest’ show be? Couldn’t be the biggest; too many people are busy in th Halloween season, and too many oddities collections are private. The oddest? We think places like The Mutter Museum should get that honor. But!

But we sure can be a haven for enthusiasts of the strange, unusual, and macabre. Our aspiration is to combine he charm of a traditional Halloween market with the eclectic allure of a Steampunk festival, creating a marvelous blend of experience that draws visitors from all over the region. We’d like to welcome all of you…normal and weird alike!

One Of The Northeast’s Largest Free Halloween Festivals

We’ve been doing this festival for many a year, but this is the first time we can offer you a real live (undead!) FREE HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL!

Is there anything more haunted than the Catskills in Autumn? Well, sure, there’s Salem, and Grismby Casle, and that entire country on the Moon which is run entirely by animated skeletons. But other than that, the Catskills are lushly orange-yellow October Country.

After nearly a decade of paid events at the Blackthorne Resort, the 2024 Catskills Halloween Vendor and Oddities Market has gone FREE! And we are gearing up to be one of the largest and most thrilling free Halloween festivals in the Northeast. This spectacular event, held from October 18-20 at the Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, promises a weekend brimming with spooky delights, eccentric oddities, and unforgettable experiences.

The Splendid Catskills Halloween Photography of Edward Threet

They call him the King of Catskills Halloween Photography: Edward Threet, a man whose visual lens never shirks from seeking to capture as many people as he can, from the most glamorous to the most relaxed. Edward Threet brings us his considerable talents and his skillful eye, and we are excited to have him!

(We may be able to persuade Mr. Threet to discuss some of his Catskills Halloween photography and videography experiences. Or at least, how he escaped from The Catskills Devil.)

Steampunk Halloween!

Bonus Extra Special Halloween Note

As a market, our vendors hope to sell you things! As promoters, we hope to enchant you with live music, magic, entertainment, and so much fun that you’ll want to come back. As a Resort, the Blackthorne hopes to show you a welcoming environment, a rousing pub, and a restful weekend.
But most of all..

…we are here to show you an amazing time, but we’re not just having Halloween AT you 

We’re having Halloween WITH you!

Swapsnaps Comes To The Catskills

We pride ourselves on having so much going on that it’s impossible to see all of it. But we sure encourage you to try! We’ve always encouraged people to take tons of pictures, and now we’re very excited to offer you a new way to not just go home with more pictures than ever, but to collaborate easily with other attendees who are also capturing the event.

Roswell Or Bust - a scifi robot by Steve Heller's Fabulous Furniture

Finding, Sourcing and Creating Oddities

“Oddity, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. What one person rejects as lunacy, another reveres as truth.”
― Philip Gulley

Visiting The Catskills In Autumn

For nature enthusiasts and city dwellers alike, the Catskills offer an idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As the days grow shorter and the nights cooler, visitors flock to witness the stunning transformation of the landscape. Scenic drives along winding mountain roads reveal panoramic vistas adorned with trees ablaze in autumnal hues, each twist and turn unveiling a new tableau of natural beauty.

The Catskills region is known for its enchanting natural beauty and a variety of quirky and unusual attractions. Here are some highlights that might pique your interest: - **Catamount People's Museum**: This unique spot features an enormous cat made from recycled wood scraps¹. - **Catskill Game Farm**: You can explore the abandoned ruins of America's first private zoo¹. - **Olana**: The Hudson River School art movement comes alive at this palatial estate¹. - **Hudson-Athens Lighthouse**: One of only seven remaining lighthouses on the Hudson River¹. - **Basement Bistro**: A one-man homegrown eatery known for its five-year waiting list¹. - **Kaaterskill Falls and the Bayard of Dogs**: A breathtaking two-tiered waterfall with a legend of a ghost dog¹. - **Olafur Eliasson: The Parliament of Reality**: A crafted island journey involving a trip across a lattice bridge¹. For those who love the offbeat and peculiar, the Catskills offer a treasure trove of hidden gems and secret spots to discover. Whether it's the world's largest kaleidoscope or the historic fire towers, there's always something to surprise and delight². And if you're into roadside oddities, you might enjoy "New York's Own Mount Rushmore" among other unique finds⁴. Enjoy your adventure into the odd and wonderful! If you're looking for a specific type of oddity or have a particular interest in mind, let me know, and I can tailor suggestions for you. Source: Conversation with Copilot, 7/11/2024 (1) Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Catskill - Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/catskill-new-york. (2) 20 secret gems you had no idea about in the Catskills - Time Out. https://www.timeout.com/newyork/travel/20-secret-gems-you-had-no-idea-about-in-the-catskills. (3) 15 “Secret” Places to Visit in the Catskill Mountains - CNY News. https://cnynews.com/new-york-state-catskills/. (4) Hidden Gems & Unique Things to do in the Catskills. https://www.boboandchichi.com/unique-things-to-do-in-the-catskills/.

More Catskills Oddities

The Catskills region is known for its enchanting natural beauty and a variety of quirky and unusual attractions. Here are some highlights that might pique your interest:/im For those who love the offbeat and peculiar, the Catskills offer a treasure… Read More »More Catskills Oddities

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