ArtsFest Outside

ArtsFest will take place from October 17th to 20th, and there are plenty of outdoor options designed to appeal to nature lovers, families with small children -- or anybody avoiding indoor spaces -- all weekend long. Here's a guide to ArtsFest outdoors. For the complete ArtsFest calendar go to www.newrochellearts.org.

ALL WEEKEND

All weekend long you can "sightsee" in your own home town by taking a guided stroll outdoors:

New Rochelle Walk of Fame is located at Ruby Dee Park (adjacent to the New Rochelle Public Library bounded by Lawton Street, Memorial Highway and Huguenot Street). Installed in 2011 as a tribute to some of New Rochelle's most notable residents throughout the city’s 325-year history, the signs located along the park’s outer pathway present a micro history of America with figures representing the arts, business, politics, education, the media, entertainment and sports. Go to newrochelledowntown.com/directory-listing/walk-of-fame/ for more information.

The 20 large scale #NRNY Murals make a statement about New Rochelle as a diverse city where art plays a pivotal role. Completed in 2022 the high impact murals were created by a group of world class street artists curated by Street Art for Mankind and sponsored by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts and the City of New Rochelle’s IDA. Go to www.newrochellearts.org to download the map.

Ward Acres Conservancy is hosting a Children’s Story Trail (300 Broadfield Rd., NR; 914- 654-2087 ; www.wardacresconservancy.org ) featuring the book “A Good Place”: The trail includes 19 stops in both English and Spanish. The trail is designed to be a self-guided experience for children 2 and up.

Last year a bronze statue of acclaimed author E.L. Doctorow was installed at Huguenot Park (North Ave. between Eastchester Rd. and Forest Ave.), echoing the bronze statue of Huguenot settler Jacob Leisler that has stood at the base of Broadview Avenue since 1913. E. L. Doctorow was one of the most important novelists of the 20th century –- and a long time resident of New Rochelle (the inspiration for his novel Ragtime). The statue is the work of sculptor Derek Chalfant, who cast portions from actual items of clothing worn by Mr. Doctorow. Visit this 20-acre park (it has a walking/jogging trail and Jack's Friendship Garden, the first city-wide special needs children's playground) to see the statue, newly landscaped by the city's Department of Parks & Recreation.

THURSDAY, OCT. 17th

On Thursday from 8:30 am to 3 pm at New Rochelle High School's arts wing (located at the corner of North Avenue and Braemar) ceramics teachers and students will be doing Live Raku Firing in the House 4 parking lot (in the parking lot closest to the building). The community is welcome to visit and learn about this ancient Japanese ceramics technique, which creates a unique -- and unpredictable -- design characterized by vibrant colors.

FRIDAY, OCT. 18th

From 6 pm to 8 pm view Fall In Plein Air: Landscape Abstractions at the Museum of Arts & Culture (New Rochelle High School, North Ave. at Braemar). New Rochelle’s is the only high school in the state with its own museum, and for ArtsFest the MAC will feature an exhibit of paintings by NRHS visual arts students. (The assignment was to create abstracted landscapes inspired by patterns of camouflage and using directly observed colors.) But you can also view student work by walking around the Twin Lakes in front of the high school where additional pieces will be displayed.

FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

The Haunt at Wildcliff Mansion (44 Wildcliff Drive, NR; www.hpcgreenhouse.org) returns for a second year, promising to deliver a spine-chillingly immersive Halloween experience: Guests can explore the mad doctor’s forgotten laboratory, navigate a restless graveyard, wander the haunted corn maze, and investigate Wildcliff Mansion, encountering ghostly figures and reanimated horrors at every turn. The Haunt is recommended for adults, teens and children who love horror or haunted houses: Guests under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult; no babies or strollers will be allowed. Timed tickets cost $25 per person at www.hauntatwildcliff.com

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

From 10 am to 1 pm you'll find Art in the Garden (30 Oakdale Ave., NR, rear yard; 914-439-2020; healthyyardsnr@gmail.com). Works by selected artists from the New Rochelle Art Association will be on display in a private garden and for sale. All work will be inspired by nature or designed to enhance a garden. A collaboration between the NRAA and Healthy Yards New Rochelle.

If classic cars are your jam don’t miss the ArtsFest Classic Car Show from 11 am to 4 pm (Hamilton Avenue Parking Lot, North Ave. at Hamilton, adjacent to City Hall) Explore the evolution of the automobile through an eye-catching bevy of classic auto beauties on exhibit by invitation only, with rollicking live music by the Bear Mountain Brass Band from 12 to 2 pm. The show is dedicated to the memory of Joe Ricci and special thanks to Nick Pagani ACE Auto and Michael Dandry. Rain Date: Sunday, October 20th.

From 11 am to 5 pm the Fifth Annual Artsfest Makers Market (Thomas Paine Cottage, 20 Sicard Avenue, across from the NRHS tennis courts) will feature live music by Mudsole Dixieland Trio from 12 to 2 pm, food trucks, and over 30 makers selling their creations. Plus a visit from the ArtsWestchester ArtsMobile with free family crafts from 1 to 3 pm. Rain Date: Sunday, October 20th.

At 12 noon take a coffee break at Starbucks Wykagyl (1278 North Avenue) and enjoy a spoken word event, A Vente on the Veranda. A pop up performance featuring talented New Rochelle PAVE and Art students in a vibrant outdoor revue! Enjoy an afternoon filled with captivating performances of song, acting, and movement while sipping your favorite drink. It’s the perfect blend of creativity, community, and coffee—don’t miss out on this exciting showcase of local talent! (In case of this event moves to under the bridge at the NRHS art wing)

At 3:30 pm little ones can shake their ya-yas out where little ones can shake their yayas out with Shake, Rattle and Roll Music on the grounds of Thomas Paine Cottage (20 Sicard Ave., NR; ThomasPaineCottage.org). This free music session will make everyone want to bop, wiggle, and twirl to the beat. Shake, Rattle & Roll Music will be sure to get everybody moving and grooving with songs in different languages and their original, catchy tunes in English. Kids are invited to bring their own favorite percussion instruments (shakers, tambourines, castanets, etc.).

SUNDAY, OCT. 20

On Sunday morning (11 am to 2 pm) little ones will delight in the Pumpkin Patch at the Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse (44 Wildcliff Rd, Hudson Park, NR; www.hudsonparkgreenhouse.org ). Children can select and paint a pumpkin for a small fee. There will also be a “Skeleton Scavenger Hunt” and other seasonal activities. For an extra $10 guests can take a guided tour through a less-scary daytime version of “The Haunt at Wildcliff Mansion” with lights on and no actors.

And at 11:30 am the Story Trail at Ward Acres Conservancy (300 Broadfield Rd., NR; 914- 654-2087 ; www.wardacresconservancy.org ) will come alive with a narrated/guided walk featuring narrators reading from the book “A Good Place”: The trail includes 19 stops in both English and Spanish designed for children age 2 and up. Attendees are to meet at the entrance to the park on Broadfield Road across the street from the Ward Elementary School Baseball field.