By Jesse Wood

Oct. 24, 2012. This Halloween, which falls in the middle of the week on Wednesday, features haunted trails, spooky animals, scavenger hunts, costume contests and more candy than you can stuff in your bags. The upcoming events listed below are geared more for the younger crowd – from toddlers to teenagers. Some events, such as the Haunted Horn Ghost Trail, are recommended for older kids. Any age disclaimers are listed under the posted event.  

In a previous year, the Haunted Horn Ghost Traill included themes from popular horror movies such as The Exorcist and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Haunted Horn Ghost Trail Starts Wednesday, Oct. 24

Located at Horn in the West, the Haunted Horn Ghost Trail will use Strobe Lights, Fog Machines, Disorienting Darkness, and a Challenging Hike. Come if you dare and walk the trail of death. We hope that you will live to see another day!

The theme this year is “Germ Warfare” and has you walk through the trail, the scary actors along the trail become more mutated.

The trail is open from dusk (about 7:30 or so) until…on Wednesday, Oct. 24, to Saturday, Oct. 27, and Tuesday, Oct. 30, to Wednesday, Oct. 31. The trail costs $10 for adults and $8 for students with proper ID.

Trail is not recommended for those 9 or younger, call to see if child care will be available the night you plan to attend. If you have any concerns or health issues – note that you enter at your own risk!

For more details, click to www.hcpress.com/arts/haunted-horn-ghost-trail-opens-wednesday-night-and-runs-through-halloween-closed-sunday-monday.html

For more information, call 828-264-2120.

ASU Trick or Treat for Tots Thursday, Oct. 25

From 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, ASU Housing invites you into our East Campus Residence Halls for our annual Trick or Treats for Tots event. This event is open to ASU faculty and staff as well as community families. 

Bring your children dressed in their Halloween costumes to go trick or treating in Hoey, Cannon, Lovill, East, Doughton, White, Summit, and Cone residence halls. ASU students will be handing out candy and there will be fun activities and games in some of the building lobbies.All are encouraged to park in any East Campus faculty/staff parking lots.

Headless Horseman’s Haunted Barn in Zionville Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 25 to Oct. 27

The second annual “Headless Horseman’s Haunted Barn” will take place Oct. 25-27 at Horse Helpers in Zionville. On Thursday, Oct. 25, the Haunted Barn will take place from 5-9 p.m.; on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27, the event will last from 6-10 p.m.

Families with small children are welcome at any time, but the more kid-friendly activities will be available from 5-7 p.m on Oct. 25 and from 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 26-27. Admission is $8. Tickets can be purchased online at www.HorseHelpersNC.org or upon arrival.

Proceeds from the sale of admission tickets will directly benefit Horse Helpers of the High Country. We are excited to be continuing this spine-chilling tradition and look forward to the upcoming Halloween season!

More information and online ticket sales, click to www.horsehelpersnc.org. We can also be reached by phone at (828) 297-1833.

For directions, click here: www.hcpress.com/upcoming-events/horse-helpers-host-second-annual-headless-horsemans-haunted-barn-in-zionville-oct-25-27.html

Dracula by Ensemble Stage Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 to 27

Join the Ensemble stage as it pays homage to the golden days of radio with a staged re-creation of the 1930′s Mercury Theatre drama, “Dracula,” starring Orson Welles.

The timeless tale of horror and suspense comes alive on stage just like it did nearly 75 years ago with one tantalizing difference. This time the blood-sucking Count hasn’t moved to a castle in merry old England. No, this time he’s taking up residence right here in Blowing Rock.

Adult/senior tickets cost $12 and students cost $8. For more information and to order tickets, click to www.ensemblestage.com or call 828-414-1844.

Tweetsie’s Ghost Train Halloween Festival Oct. 26 and 27

This is the last weekend to experience the Ghost Train at Tweetsie. On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 and 27, the gates open at 7:30 p.m. Due to the popularity of this annual event, a limited number of tickets are available for each evening. Many nights often sell out, so ordering advance tickets online is strongly recommended.

The event is fun for the whole family and features, Ghost Train rides,an exciting haunted house, Halloween shows, a 3-D maze, the Black Hole, trick-or-treating and the freaky forest. 

Admission is $28 for adults and children, while kids ages 2 and under are admitted free. Convenient print-at-home tickets are available at www.tweetsie.com. 

For more details click to www.hcpress.com/upcoming-events/tweetsies-ghost-train-halloween-festival-howls-through-high-country-beginning-tomorrow-through-oct-27.html

Watauga Humane Society Presents Halloween Activities

On Saturday, Oct. 27, Charlie Brown’s Great Pumpkin will be at the Watauga Humane Society from 1 to 4 p.m. Pets and pet owners can come dressed in costume to the Spook Parade and Costume Contest. Prizes will be awarded for best pet and owner matching costumes, spookiest pet, most like a vampire pet,the ugliest pet and the pet with the best Halloween trick.

Special guests include Queeny’s Pet Palace featuring pet adornments and grooming tips, Woof Pack Services demonstrating dog training and Mountain Dog and Friends serving organic pumpkin pancakes specially made for dogs.

Members of the Watauga County Library will be on hand for a spooky story hour and face painting. Attendees will be able to decorate their own Halloween cookies for their own pets or shelter dogs. Halloween cake will be provided by Kojay’s Cafe, along with candy and refreshments.

Those who attend are encouraged to bring a bag of pet food as a donation for the Humane Society’s Pet Food Pantry.

The Haunted Bare Bones Boutique House will be having a Monster Sale from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. where all items are half price. There will also be specials in the Pet Stop Shop located in the adoption center where long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies are available.

For more information visit www.wataugahumanesociety.org or call 828-264-7865.

Beech Mountain Halloween Celebration and Hayride  Saturday, October 27

Meet at the Beech Mountain Town Hall for trick-or-treating at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 27. Following the trick-or-treating, a Halloween party that includes dinner, spook-tacular games, a haunted hayride and a haunted hunt will take place at the Buckeye Recreation Center at 6 p.m. For more information, call Brie Powell at 828-387-3003.

Blowing Rock Halloween Festival Monster March Saturday, Oct. 27

Put on your costume and get ready for the Monster March. Plan for an afternoon of nonstop fun with hay rides, airwalks, games, a scavenger hunt and the Monster March Costume Parade at the Blowing Rock Halloween Festival on Oct. 27 in Downtown Blowing Rock. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes and scavenger hunt winners. 

Festival Schedule:

• 3 to 8 p.m. – Air walks in Memorial Park
• 3 to 5:30 p.m. – Games and a Fun House in the Recreation Center for the Kids
• 4 to 8 p.m. – Hay Rides through Blowing Rock (Meet in Memorial Park)
• 5:45 p.m. – The Monster March (Line up at the American Legion at 5:30 p.m.)
• 6 p.m. until – Trick or Treat Downtown Blowing Rock (Look for the black and orange balloons)
• 6:30 to 9 p.m. – Bonfire in the Park
• 7 p.m. – Costume Contest at the Recreation Center (White Building by the Tennis Courts – Sign up at the Recreation Center by 6:45 p.m.)

After the Costume Contest – Moonlight Scavenger hunt at Broyhill Lake – participate in teams (max: 3 per group) (ages 6-13) Bring your flashlight. For more information, call 828-295-5222.

Grandfather Mountain’s ‘Beary Scary Halloween’ Oct. 27

Join in the fun at the second annual “Beary Scary Halloween” festivities and help the Mountain raise funds for renovations on Grandfather’s eagle habitat.

Halloween activities take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are included with regular admission. Kids (ages 4-12) in costume will get in at half price. 

Children under 4 always receive free admission to Grandfather.

• 10 a.m. – Guests create and decorate their own spider house or tissue paper bat and edible treats such as a special Halloween cookie
• 10:30 a.m. – Trick-or-treat with the animals and keepers in the animal habitats
• 11 a.m. – Naturalists will meet by the Mildred the Bear statue in the Nature Museum for an interactive program titled “Going Batty for Bats.”
• 11:30 a.m. – Local storyteller Maggie Christenbury will lead scary ghost tales to thrill the whole family at the Nature Museum Auditorium.
• 12:30 p.m. – Costume contest

Immediately following the contest, guests have a unique opportunity to participate in the animal enrichments by decorating pumpkins and other treats that will later be given to the animals. An enrichment is anything different that can help to break up the animals’ day such as a scent, a new toy or a treat.

• 1 p.m. – Join the Mountain’s Naturalists in the Nature Museum for the “Creepy, Crawly Critters!” program. Participants will learn about creatures of the night, creatures that bite and other spooky animals.
• 2 p.m. – The Habitat Staff will begin the animal enrichments. Meet at the deer overlook to watch the animals enjoy their decorated treats.
• 2:45 p.m. – Taking place at the Fudge Shop, an “Animal Encounter” allow guests to meet and learn about the spooky night prowlers that can be found in the High Country.

Throughout the day guests can learn more about the eagle habitat, special programs offered by habitat staff and additional opportunities to get involved on the Mountain. For more information, contact the habitat staff at 828-733-8715.

For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.

Children’s Halloween Celebration in Ashe Wednesday, October 31

The Ashe Farmers’ Market will hold its annual children’s Halloween celebration on Wednesday, October 31, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m in downtown West Jefferson. Along with West Jefferson First Baptist Church’s annual trunk-or-treat, ACFM will be open selling hot dogs, drinks, and taking pictures of the trunk-or-treaters.

For more info, click to www.ashefarmersmarket.com.

Boone Mall Halloween Festivities, October 31

The Boone Mall hosts Halloween festivities on Wednesday, October 31. The evening features activities from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event features a “pumpkin house” and ASU’s “F Stop Photo Club” for Halloween photos. For more information, email Meredith Golden at boonemallmeredith@hotmail.com.

Trunk-or-Treat in Banner Elk, October 31

Tate-Evans Park in Banner Elk hosts the ninth annual Halloween Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, October 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. This year’s event has a bigger haunted house, loads of candy, face painting and pet costume contest and more.

Prizes will be awarded for those who decorate their vehicle as ghost mobiles, for an all-aged costume contest judged according to age groups and pumpkin carvings.

Free hot dogs for kids under 15 years old, and bring a nonperishable food items to stock up local food banks. For more information, call Nancy Owen at 828-898-5398, ext. 221.

12th Annual Downtown Boone Boo on Halloween, Oct. 31

The Downtown Boone Development Association sponsors this year’s downtown Boone Boo taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Starting at 4 p.m., crafts and activities take place at the Watauga County Public Library, and then at 4:30 p.m., a parade will leave to the Jones House. From 4:45 to 6 p.m., participating downtown Boone business will take part in trick-or-treating. (Balloons will mark participating businesses.) From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., a “Meet and Greet” happens with the ASU men’s basketball team for signed posters of the team  available to the first 100 fans. All ages are welcome.

For more information, call 828-262-4532.

Pumpkin Carving Contest and Trick-or-Treat at Green Park Inn on Halloween

Bring your kids to trick-or-treat at the Green Park Inn on Halloween day and participate in our pumpkin carving contest.

The contest is open to the first 20 participants and begins at 6:30 p.m. Call ahead to reserve your pumpkin. Just bring your own tools and carving skills; Green Park Inn will provide the pumpkins. Pumpkin lighting begins around 7:30 p.m., and the contest winner receives a prize.

Green Park Inn is located at 9230 Valley Boulevard in Blowing Rock. For more information, call the front desk at 828-414-9230.

Newland Business Association Sponsors Halloween Extravaganza

The Newland Business Association sponsors its annual Halloween Extravaganza that includes trick-or-treating downtown and a costume contest with prizes held at the Guy-Braswell Annex below the Avery County Library from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

The event will span both sides of the Pineola Street from Brinkley Motors to Napa Auto Parts. All members of the Newland Business Association are invited to set up a table or trunk to hand out candy and Halloween trinkets to the kids.

The costume contest with age-appropriate prizes from infants to adults has been relocated to the room below the library and starts at 6 p.m.

Comments

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments