The Town of New Windsor was in full Halloween spirit with several town offices transforming into various Halloween themed worlds ranging from Harry Potter, Beetlejuice and the Ghostbusters. The Halloween fun took place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

While regular services went about at New Windsor Town Hall, staff from each of the departments donned costumes, makeup and personalities to match as part of their office theme. The Halloween celebrations and festivities were a first time event for the town.

Recreation Director Jessica Dickinson greeted families at the entrance to town hall and handed out ballots for families to go around and view the different offices, ultimately voting for their favorite.

“We are seeing lots of folks come to town hall to participate and walking through the hallways that our employees decorated with surprising care and attention to detail and spooking out every section of this building,” said Dickinson. “This is the first time that town hall has done something like this, and I’m hoping this becomes an annual tradition.”

The town clerk’s office transformed into the classic world of Ghostbusters complete with decorations and ghosts. The ghost Slimer also made a guest appearance at the town clerk’s office. “It’s a lot of fun watching the kids come through, families, everybody’s smiling. It’s something we’ve never done before, so it’s new, it’s fun,” said Deputy Town Clerk Melissa Conley.

The wizarding world of Harry Potter took over the receiver of taxes office and welcomed families to a magical place. “We are in such a festive mood here at the Town of New Windsor. We are so excited to see all residents come trick or treating through and see all the little kids with their costumes,” said Susan Scheible, New Windsor Receiver of Taxes. “Every employee in this town hall put their heart and soul into decorating each office.”

The building department transformed into the scary and wacky world of Beetlejuice; the assessors office invited you into their spooky carnival world while the comptroller’s office paid homage to the classic Halloween film Hocus Pocus. Families were greeted by aliens soon thwarted by MiB [Men in Black] agents; It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown welcomed you with ghosts and pumpkin patches; witches from the Witches Cauldron at the supervisor’s office gave out candy; and the Boo Crew over at the Town Justice Court welcomed you to the world of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The town attorney’s office, whose theme was It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, took home the win in the office decoration costume contest with 88 total votes. As the day concluded, families went out later that night to celebrate the Halloween festivities and cheer, with more candy to collect and enjoy.